A/N – Thanks for the reviews! Glad you are enjoying the story!

Chapter 36 - Tortured

Skye glanced at Jason. There were so many things that could wrong. Her mind was raging with different scenarios.

Jason could see the hesitation and relaxed his stare. And without words Skye saw that he was trying to tell her to trust him. She took a deep breath. "Do it." She knew from the monitor earlier that Lorenzo was probably on the other side of the room because she saw no stairs and could see a wall behind him.

Jason pulled the pin and tossed it down the stairs and he heard someone yell as it went off. They waited a minute and then Jason flung the door open as smoke poured out. He could hear someone coughing and Lorenzo yelled, "They're dead. I'm okay."

Skye gasped with relief at the sound of his voice. Lorenzo and Liz were everything to her. Losing either one was not an option.

Jason heard someone running towards them. He held up his gun and then realized that it was Carlos and one other guard. "I just tossed a grenade."

Carlos nodded. "Where are the other two?" he asked.

"I don't know. They were ahead of me and we got separated. Skye killed Luis, so he's no longer a threat," Jason said before he smiled at the look on Carlos's face as did Skye.

Carlos and Jason slowly went down the stairs. They had to climb over the two men and some debris. Jason helped Skye and she ran over to Lorenzo.

"Oh my God," she said tearing up. "Look what they've done to you," she said trying to process how bad he looked. His injuries were substantial. He was in his boxer/briefs and he looked like a bloody mess.

"I'll be okay," Lorenzo said exhausted. He had some broken ribs and he was bleeding from various wounds and shallow cuts all over his body and the bottom of his feet. They had water boarded him and punched him relentlessly.

Jason and Carlos undid his restraints. "Lorenzo, do you think you can walk?"

Lorenzo tried to sit up and collapsed back down on the table. "Fuck." he growled, grimacing from the extreme pain.

Jason looked at Carlos each trying to figure out how they could move him and not do more damage to his battered body.

"Lorenzo, we're going to get you into a chair and carry you in that," Jason said glancing at the chair across the room. Carlos ran over and got it and placed it next to the table.

Lorenzo nodded. "Just do it," he knew it was going to be painful but he had no choice.

Jason pulled him up into a sitting position. He could tell that Lorenzo wanted to scream. Skye could barely stand it. She wanted to scream for him. Carlos got on the other side and they put him on the chair.

Lorenzo was panting. Carlos tipped the chair back and Jason grabbed the legs. They got him upstairs and set him down for a minute and then switched off with the other guard until they made it out of the building. Getting Lorenzo into the car was excruciating, but they finally got him situated. Skye climbed in next to him after everyone got inside. They were relieved to see the other two guards that had been with Jason exit the building and run to the other car.

Jason pulled off and headed to the hospital.

Skye looked up at him. "Are you going to tell me what happened to our daughter?"

"She was taken by Manny," he said looking at her through the rear view mirror.

Skye gasped and saw Jason flinch.

"She managed to get away due to the knife you gave her and when she went to run, Manny shot at her."

"Oh my God," Skye said as her gaze locked with her husband's.

"Johnny jumped in front of the bullet," Jason said.

Skye put her hand over her mouth. She knew how close her daughter and Johnny were. "Please tell me that he's still alive."

Jason told her the rest of the story and Skye began to cry. She hated that her daughter had to kill people and had been hurt.

"She'll be okay. I promise," Jason felt horrible that she was so upset, especially when he felt responsible for everything she had gone through in the last twenty-four hours. "I'm sorry I didn't protect her," he said regrettably.

Lorenzo took a deep breath. "You did the best you could Jason. No one is blaming you."

Jason didn't say anything. He just wished that he could have gotten to Liz after the blast went off, but there was so much commotion and gunfire, he had to stay where he was. He had seen Johnny start running, but he didn't follow because he was trying to cover him. Jason had no idea that Johnny was running after her.

Skye attention went back to Jason and she caught him looking in the mirror again.

"Is he okay?"

She nodded. "He will be," she said looking down at her battered husband.

Jason was an expert in torture and he knew that they had done horrible things to Lorenzo. He really hoped that he wasn't permanently injured. Pushing his foot further down onto the gas pedal, he kept his eyes out for any police cars and barreled towards the hospital.

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Once Jason stopped the truck, Carlos ran to get a nurse. When she returned with help, Jason opened the passenger door and helped the orderly get Lorenzo out of the SUV. He then helped Skye down and she ran to Lorenzo's side.

Carlos stood next to him and put his hand out. "Give me the keys, I'll park it."

"Thank you for everything Carlos," Jason said shaking the man's hand.

"It was nice working with you Morgan. You do live up to your reputation."

"Thanks, but I couldn't have done it without you," he turned and walked into the hospital and headed to Liz's room.

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Claudia was sitting with Elizabeth and Max was still stationed outside the door. He had refused to leave until he knew that Jason and the Alcazars were okay. They shook hands and Jason walked inside and saw Liz smile and then tear up. "Hey baby," he said walking over to her and kissing her. The feel of her soft lips against his sent a chill through his body.

Claudia smiled at the tenderness Jason was showing her.

"How are my parents?" she asked.

"Well, your mom killed Luis herself. She's fine."

Liz's eyes grew big. "I told you that you shouldn't mess with her."

Jason grinned. "Trust me. I'm impressed. I might have to hire her while Johnny is recovering."

Liz smiled.

His smile quickly faded. "Your dad was tortured pretty badly but he's going to make it. They are working on him right now," Jason said sadly.

Liz fought back tears. She was so relieved that they were alive but she was scared for her father.

Jason could see the look in her eyes and explained further. "He has some broken ribs and a lot of little cuts all over his body. He's pretty banged up, but I think he'll be fine. Your mom is taking good care of him. She's pretty amazing just like you," he said smiling at her.

Liz smiled back. Somehow, just looking into his hopeful eyes helped her to relax a little.

Jason glanced over at Claudia. "Any news on Johnny?"

"He's in the ICU. He's stable."

Jason blew out a long breath. "We got really lucky. I need a shower."

"Follow me," Claudia said. She grabbed a bag and handed it to Jason. "Sonny brought you some clothes." Jason turned and looked at Liz. "I love you baby. I'll be right back."

Liz nodded. "Love you too."

He smiled and followed Claudia out of the room. She led him down a few hallways. "You can use this locker room. I'll stay with Liz until you get back."

"Thanks Claudia."

"Don't mention it."

Jason went inside and turned on the water. He stripped and stepped under the stream of hot water and only then did he let his tears fall as he thought about everyone he almost lost.

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Jason went to the nurse's station and got Johnny's room number. He headed to the ICU and signed in. A nurse led him over to Johnny who was out cold. Walking over to him, he touched his friend's arm and started to speak.

"Hey. I really need you to get better. Liz is sick with worry. She's fine. She had to get a transfusion but she's recovering. Everyone is safe." Jason took a deep breath. "I don't even know how to thank you for protecting her the way you did. It should be me lying here, not you. I'm sorry you got hurt but thank you so much," Jason said softly. He let go of Johnny's arm and when he saw his hand move, he grabbed it and Johnny lightly squeezed. Jason smiled and patted his hand and he felt it go slack. "Get some rest. I'll be back later."

When Jason got back to Liz's room Sonny was there. Claudia had filled him in.

"Jason, you need to eat something," Claudia said, "Come to the cafeteria with us."

Jason grimaced at the thought of hospital food.

Liz smiled. "Go," she said forcefully.

"You're awful bossy for someone who's hurt and can barely lift their head up."

"You'll have to make it up to me later."

"Will do," he said following Claudia out the door.

"How's Tess?" he asked as they got in the elevator.

"She's on bed rest for a few days. Max took her to Sonny's. There are some guards over there looking after them."

"I'm glad they are okay."

"We're all going to be okay," Claudia said.