A/N – Thanks for the comments! Glad you liked Epiphany! Hope you still like me after this chapter lol. Trust me….* KLJLizFan – I hated Billy on YR so hard to separate from the actor cause I didn't like his cocky smugness etc. But, I hate Lucky. Liz doesn't deserve that whiny, berating, jerk. I don't care who's playing him, to me that ship has sailed. They have been horrible for years and so much hurt. Lnl2 make about as much sense as Jasam in by book. I want Liz to show some growth. I think BM should have been Dillon. He's too young for Jason and I think they are going to change Jason's personality and I'm going to hate that. JM is unique. JQ is not. * ghfan51184 – Ok, I'll take it back. I did kind of like the secret relationship, but in the same way hated it cause it was a bittersweet kind of thing. I wanted Jason to fight to be with Elizabeth and for them both to say FU to everyone. Oh and re: Mac. Yes, I try to tweak characters a little different from the show. There is a gray area with Mac in my fic. We'll see how that plays out! And you can rant anytime!
Chapter 29 – A New Threat
Elizabeth juggled her phone, scrounging around for a pen. She went to the kitchen and noticed that there was a door next to it and opened it as she listened to Diane ramble on. Flicking on the light, she realized it was an office and saw a pen and smiled. She sat down in the chair and started to write down the information Diane was giving her and then she glanced at the wall and gasped.
"What's wrong?"
"Oh my God, Jason brought the first painting I did after the crash."
"What? No, that can't be right."
"I'm looking right at it."
"No, a Mr. Logan Hayes brought that painting."
"Well, he must work for Jason because it's hanging on his wall."
Diane smirked. "Well, I think that's really romantic. Are you upset?"
Liz sat back, not sure how she felt. "I don't know. I mean, I'm not sure why he did it anonymously. "
"Maybe he didn't want to make a big deal about it. You can ask him when you go back to the hospital."
"I will."
They finished their conversation and she went back into the living room. The door opened and Johnny came in followed by another man.
"Elizabeth, this is your new guard, Logan Hayes."
She smirked and shook his hand. "So, you're Logan Hayes."
He looked at her curiously. "Why did you say it like that?"
"Well, I went into Jason's office to find a pen and saw one of my paintings up on the wall. Diane told me that you were the one that purchased it."
Logan made a face and Johnny laughed. "Busted. You might as well tell her."
"Yeah, I brought it on behalf of Jason."
She grabbed her purse. "I'm ready to go now."
Logan couldn't tell if she was mad or not. He held the door open and Liz breezed by them. They accompanied her to the car and of course there were reporters shouting questions as the car exited the garage. Liz still couldn't believe that it was all for her. They stopped at Kelly's to get some food before they headed back.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
Logan opened the door for her. "After you Ms. Webber."
"Elizabeth, please call me Elizabeth or Liz. There is no need to be so formal."
Her eyes met with Ric's who was seated at a table. She averted hers and walked towards the counter and placed her order and then asked Johnny and Logan what they wanted. Johnny ordered for Jason and of course, Ric took the opportunity to walk towards them.
Logan stepped in front of Liz who had her backed turned towards him. "Ms. Webber doesn't wish to speak to you."
"Elizabeth can tell me that herself, or is she not allowed to speak."
Elizabeth ignored him.
"I need you to step back," Logan said forcefully.
"Wow. You seriously need to dial back the testosterone."
"I'm not going to ask you again."
Ric smirked. "Fine, I was just going to say hi. I meant no harm," he said holding up his hands and walking backwards. "Have a nice day Elizabeth."
After she heard the door close, Liz turned her head. "Thank you."
"It's my job to protect you and I take it very seriously."
Liz slightly smiled and turned back towards the counter. She liked Logan.
Johnny saw her reaction and was glad she was warming up to the younger man. Someone walked through the door and Johnny lightly groaned causing Elizabeth to look up at him.
"Gina," he said softly.
Liz's stomach did a flip.
Gina walked up to the counter and placed her order and then turned slightly. "Elizabeth, how is Jason?"
"He's awake and recovering. Hopefully, he'll be able to go home tomorrow."
"Tell him I asked about him please."
"I will."
Their food was up. Johnny grabbed the bags and they headed back to the car.
"That was awkward."
Liz looked up at him. "You think? I guess I'm just going to have to get used to it."
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
Jason finished his sandwich. "That was so good. Thanks!"
Liz smiled. "You're welcome."
"You seem like you have something on your mind."
"I do but I'll get to that. Ric was there when I got to the Kelly's."
"Did he say anything to you?"
"Of course, but Logan ran interference. I didn't even acknowledge his presence."
"Good."
"Then Gina came in. She asked about you and wanted me to tell you that."
Jason nodded. "And?"
"While I was at the penthouse, I couldn't find a pen and stumbled upon your office."
Jason sighed. "Oh."
"Big oh. Why didn't you tell me?"
"Elizabeth, when you were telling me about the painting, I just decided that I needed to have it. So, I had Logan call Diane and purchase it."
"Jason, if you wanted it that badly, I would have just given to you."
"Your art is worth something. Besides, I know that you give a generous portion to your non-profit and I wanted to contribute."
Liz sighed. "I'm not mad at you. I was just shocked. Why do you want to look at it anyway? There's so much pain…," she said as her voice trailed off.
"It's our pain. I don't know why, but it just speaks to me. It represents how we feel and it makes me feel close to you."
Tears started to fill her eyes and Jason pushed back the table and held open his arms. Liz stood and climbed onto the bed and let herself be engulfed.
"You know I'll need some motorcycle art for my new shop."
Liz chuckled. "Really?"
"Yup."
"What does that entail exactly?"
"You know, hot babes on bikes."
Liz laughed. "Yeah, I'll get back to you on that."
Jason smiled. "Seriously, I would love to at least have a landscape or something."
"I actually have one in storage that might suffice. I just have to put some finishing touches on it."
"Really?"
She nodded.
"I'll take it, but you have to let me pay fair market value for it."
She started to object.
"I'm sorry, but I won't back down on that."
"Okay."
"I see you met Logan. You think you can get along with him?"
"Yeah, he's cool; a little intense though."
"He is when he's working, but he's actually pretty funny too. He just takes his job really seriously. If he tells you to run or do something, don't question it."
"Okay."
"I'm not going to be involved as much in the business, so I'm hoping that it won't be as dangerous for you to be around me."
"I trust you Jason. I know you'll do the best you can to protect me."
"I will do everything I can."
Diane walked in, shocking Elizabeth.
"What are you doing here?
Jason noticed that Diane looked really scared. She was holding a letter and her hand was shaking.
Liz slid off the bed and hugged her. "Sit down. What happened?"
Johnny had called Francis and he rushed into the room. He knelt down beside her. "What's going on?"
"I was at my office going through your fan mail and this was in there."
She handed the envelope to Francis. He opened it and took a look at the contents and then handed it to Jason.
"I want two extra guards on her. No flowers or anything else gets upstairs. They can hold them in the lobby for one of us to examine. If she goes out, Logan will be glued to her side. I am not taking any chances," Jason said firmly.
Elizabeth took in everyone's expressions. "What is going on?"
Logan had entered the room. Jason handed him the envelope and he looked pissed. "You don't even have to say it." he said before handing it back to Jason.
"Come here," Jason said softly.
She climbed onto the bed and he opened it again. Two pictures fell out, making her gasp. They were of her. In one, she was sleeping in her bed and in the other, she was in her kitchen. "Oh my God. How?"
Jason handed her the note. It said, "You are so beautiful and you'll be mine soon. He's not good enough for you."
"Elizabeth, I need you to tell me everyone that has been in your apartment in the last week," Logan said.
"Everyone in this room but you. Oh and Matt was there one day."
"Do you think Matt would do this?"
"No way. We've been friends for years."
"Does Ric have a key?" Francis asked.
"No. I had the super change the locks already."
All three men looked at each other.
"Were you there when it happened?"
"No."
"I'm already making the call," Logan said walking out.
"I'm sorry but we can't rule anyone out at this point, even Matt. When Logan finds out what time the locks were changed, we can see if Matt was on duty at the time. I know you don't want to think the worst of him, but he is in love with you," Jason said.
Liz didn't reply. She was shaken to her core that someone had put cameras in her apartment and spied on her. She wrapped her arms around herself and Jason knew exactly what she was thinking.
"Can I have a few minutes alone with her?"
Francis nodded and Diane stood.
"Francis, Diane can stay at the penthouse. Put Marco on her when she returns home. I want to make sure that no one approaches her."
Francis nodded and led Diane out.
Jason pulled Liz down to him as she started to cry. "Shhhh," he said as he rubbed her back.
"He saw all of me Jason. He saw us making love." Her eyes grew wide. "Suppose he recorded it? He could release it to the press."
Jason was livid.
Logan strode towards them. He had an envelope in his hand. "You got one too. I'm the only one who saw it," he said as he handed Jason the envelope.
Jason tore it open. "Son of a bitch!"
The note said, "Leave her alone and I won't release these to the press."
Liz picked up a photo and started to cry. It was a picture of them having sex. It didn't show her body, but she felt her stomach roll over and she jumped off the bed and ran into the bathroom. Logan followed her and waited while she threw up. He helped her up and she washed her mouth out.
"I'm sorry," he said softly. "We'll find him and I will protect you with my life."
She turned to look at him and then hugged him and Logan tried to sooth her. "It's going to be okay. We'll find him and destroy everything.'
She pulled back and wiped at her face. "Sorry."
"It's okay. You don't have to apologize for being upset, but I think we better get back in there before Jason's head implodes."
That got a small smile and he followed her back into the room.
She climbed back into her boyfriend's arms.
Johnny approached them. Francis had filled him in. "Sonny wants me to go check out the old apartment and see if I can find the equipment and more information on the person who changed the locks."
Jason nodded.
"I still have my key," Liz said as she got up and retrieved it in her purse. "Technically, I'm still under lease, so I haven't done a walkthrough."
Johnny took it from her. He could tell something else was going on.
"Logan will fill you in," Jason said giving Logan permission to brief Johnny. They stepped into the hallway.
Jason watched Johnny's reaction as he rubbed Liz's back. He could tell he was really upset. Their gaze met and even though no words were said, Jason could see the conviction in Johnny's eyes before he turned and left.
"What are we going to do?"
"I'm going to ask Patrick to keep me here one more day. He wants to anyway. It will buy us more time."
"And after that?"
"I want to say fuck this guy, but I can't because I have to protect you," he said angrily. "The pictures and video can't get out."
"I won't go back to the apartment."
"No, you won't. I need you close. I'll think of something; a place where you can go."
Monica came into the room and when she saw Liz crying, she was taken aback. "What happened?"
Liz turned red at her question and buried her face into Jason's chest.
"We have a problem with a stalker."
"What? Did you call the police?" she said immediately slapping her hand over her mouth. "Sorry."
Jason would have smiled if the situation weren't so serious. "He wants me to leave her alone or he'll release some pictures of us…" Jason couldn't even say it but Monica got the point.
"She can come stay with us."
"I couldn't put you in that kind of danger," Liz said sitting up.
"Nonsense. Jason can have guards at the house. I trust him. You're coming to stay with us."
"No, I'll stay at the penthouse and Jason will stay with you. He needs someone to take care of him."
Jason eyes grew big making Monica giggle.
Liz looked at him and grinned. "Are you scared to stay with mommy and daddy?"
"I think he's scared of Edward."
Jason rolled his eyes.
"Once you're totally back on your feet, we can swap places if necessary."
Monica smiled as she thought about the look on everyone's faces when she told them Jason was moving in.
"And I'm sure you have experience sneaking in. We'll figure out a way to see each other."
Jason sighed. "I'll still stay in here one more day."
"So you'll come to the mansion to recover?"
"Yeah, I guess."
Monica chuckled at his pathetic expression. "It will be fine Jason. I'll get everything ready for you."
