A/N – Thanks for the comments! Sorry rushing today.

Chapter 35

Johnny took two bag of clothes from Max, who had managed to retrieve some clothes and a couple of stuffed animals from Katherine's apartment, and took them into the living room. "Delivery."

Kylie looked up from her coloring book. "What's that?"

"Some of your things."

Her eyes got brighter as she ran to him. "You found fluffy."

"Fluffy?"

She giggled at the look on his face. "What?"

"I don't think he looks like a Fluffy."

She frowned. "What would you have called him?"

He looked at the bunny, "Qbert."

She laughed. "That's a horrible name."

"Qbert Hopperton O'Brien IV."

She cracked up. "That's crazy. You're going to have to get your own bunny."

Katherine chuckled as she took out some clothes. He had also grabbed some makeup. "How did they get inside?"

"He got one of his cousins to go up there since he's from out of town."

"Cool."

Kylie squealed when she saw her art set. "Awesome." She got up and hugged Johnny. "Thank you so much."

Johnny kissed the top of her head. "Anything for the mother of Qbert Hopperton. Maybe we can call him QHop for short."

She laughed and shook her head before grabbing the bag and venturing into her bedroom.

"Thank you for making her happy."

"I like seeing her smile."

"I finished the work you gave me to do. Got anything else?"

"Yup."

"You know, we can't stay here forever."

"I know."

She noted his worried look. "Can you watch a movie with us tonight?"

His face softened. "Sure."

"She wants to see a Disney movie. Is that alright?"

He shrugged. "I don't mind." He really enjoyed hanging out with them. "What's for dinner?"

"Lasagna."

"Yum. I'm going to go get changed."

She watched him walk away and sighed. Johnny was not only really nice to look at, but also very easy to talk to. She found herself looking forward to him coming home and knew she was probably getting too attached. There was a distinct possibility that they would have to leave and the more bonded they all got, the harder it would be to say goodbye.

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Andrea walked up to Sarah and hugged her. "You okay?"

"Right now, yes. Later…" her voice trailed off as she looked away. "It's when I dwell on it that I feel like I'm going to implode. I feel like such a fool."

"It's not your fault. This is all on the Cassadines."

"Have you been to the hospital?"

"Yes."

"Did he say anything to you?"

"He tried, but I told him that if it wasn't about hospital policy, I didn't want to hear it and walked away. It was all I could not to deck him. Knowing Helena, she would have had me arrested."

Audrey walked in with some chocolate cookies. "Chocolate makes everything better."

Steven perked up and jumped to his feet. "Out of the way, half-pint," he said brushing by Elizabeth.

"Hey!"

"Only the strong survive."

She elbowed him to the side, making him crash onto the couch as everyone laughed.

"Good shot," Sarah said.

"Why, thank you," Liz said quite pleased with herself. She bit into the cookie. "Yum."

Steven shook his head and grabbed one. "I'll get you back for that."

"You can try."

Jeff walked into the room. "Shall we get started?"

"Now, let's throw some ideas around," Andrea said.

"I spoke to Lila, Edward is working on a few things for us," Audrey said.

"We could use the help," Jeff said as he started to pace.

Liz suddenly stood. "I need to go."

Sarah flashed her a look. "What could be more important than this?"

Liz smirked. "I'm going to the one person who knows everything about everybody?"

"Spinelli?"

Liz grinned. "You are seriously losing your touch. Keep brainstorming. I'll call if I get lucky."

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Patrick walked into the living room. He had just taken a shower. "You okay?"

"I'm fine."

He sat next to her. "You seem sad. Did I do something wrong."

"What? No! You've been perfect."

"Do you want me to leave?"

The look on his face told her in no uncertain terms, that he was not feeling that.

"No."

"Then talk to me."

"Taking care of someone is stressful. I just don't want it to affect our friendship."

"It won't. I'm in this for the duration. Don't you get that?"

She averted her gaze.

He grabbed her hand. "Epiphany. I would never let anything come between us. You mean too much to me."

"Patrick…."

"You do. I think you know that."

She squeezed his hand. "It's hard for me to admit that I need help, but I don't know what I would have done without you."

There was a knock on the door.

"Were you expecting someone?"

"No."

He got up and was surprised to see Amelia.

"Hey. I brought some food."

She pushed passed him and Piph smiled.

"Chinese?"

"Yup. You hungry?"

"A little."

Amelia tried not to stare, but Piph had lost more weight. "Are you eating?"

"Sometimes…"

"Epiphany…"

"I just don't have an appetite."

Patrick took the bag to the kitchen. "Maybe it's the meds."

Amelia agreed. "Probably."

"Thanks for bringing dinner."

Amelia smiled. "I missed you. I didn't interrupt anything, did I?"

"No, you're fine. Have any gossip?"

She smiled. "Bobbi found Lucas and Felix making out in the supply room."

Piph's mouth dropped open. "She must have died."

Amelia laughed. "You have no idea. She dropped what she was carrying. Thank God they were just kissing."

"Amateurs," Patrick said putting down a plate at the table. "Come on, Piph."

Amelia watched her get up and walk. She was slow, but her balance was good.

Not missing a beat, Epiphany carefully sat. "Do you two ever stop being doctors?"

"No," they said at the same time.

Patrick's brow rose when Amelia sat too. "Don't worry, I'll get you some too."

Amelia smiled. "Thanks."

Piph chuckled. "It looks good."

"Felix said the place I got it from was your favorite."

Her mouth was watering. "It is."

They dug in and Patrick was happy that Piph ate a little more than usual.

Amelia was a little worried, but she knew that Patrick was keeping an eye on Piph. They chatted in between forkfuls and right before they were done, she watched Patrick lean over wipe some food off of Piph's chin and she swore Epiphany blushed.

"I'll get the plates and clean up," Amelia said.

From the kitchen, she watched Patrick smile at Piph and she knew. There was something more there and wondered if the two of them even realized it. She did have a little crush on Patrick, but now she understood why he looked conflicted sometimes when she would flirt. She started to wash dishes and Patrick came up behind her and she jumped. "You okay?"

"Yup." She looked over at the table and when she didn't see Piph, she located her in the living room watching television. "So, when?"

"When what?"

"When did you realize that you were more than friends."

Patrick was speechless, making her smirk.

"It's okay. She's a great woman and let's just say I've grown fond of you too."

"Are you mad?"

"I'm a little disappointed, but she got there first. Piph has a way of getting to you. I won't say anything. Does she know?"

"We haven't talked about it."

"Maybe you should."

"I'm working on it?"

Her eyes danced with amusement. "Are you scared?"

He shot her a look.

"Wow, I never saw that coming."

"I don't want our friendship ruined."

"Then don't do anything to piss her off."

He smiled. "Such sage advice for someone who says they suck at relationships."

"I do, but everyone has to grow up."

"True.

They walked back into the living room and plopped onto the couch. Epiphany wanted to know everything that was going on, so Amelia appeased her for a while. After an hour, she left.

"I'm glad she came to G.H. She's a good person," Piph said.

"She is and she really likes you which doesn't surprise me. You tend to have that affect on people."

"It's my wonderful personality."

"Why do sound sarcastic?"

"Because I tend to tell it like it is and not everyone is receptive to that."

"I think that is what everyone loves. You call them on their shit. Everyone needs one person like that in their lives or they'd never be accountable for anything."

"Elizabeth does that for me."

"Me too, perhaps too much."

Piph chucked. She had great friends and cherished every moment with them. "Slide closer, I need a headrest."

Patrick happily obeyed.

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Elizabeth called Jason as she drove into town and got his voicemail. "Hey. I just wanted you to know that I was thinking about you. I miss you. Everything makes more sense when you are around me. I hope you'll let me see you tomorrow. I just want to be there for you. Call me if you need me."

She parked her car and ran inside and took the elevator up. It was show time.

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Maxie groaned and ran to the door and threw it open. "What!"

Elizabeth saw all the boxes behind her. "Maxie."

"What do you want?"

"We need to talk."

Maxie made a noise as Liz pushed by her and then slammed the doors and put her hands on her hips. "I'm in a hurry and don't have a lot of time. So, if you want to yell at me, make it quick."

Liz sat on a chair. "I need your help."

Maxie tried to hide her shock. "What could I possibly help you with?"

"I want to bring down that shrew Helena and by the looks of things, the Cassadines are probably the reason that you're so busy."

Maxie sighed and sat across from her. "Go on."

"I want the bitch to suffer."

Maxie smirked. "Who knew?"

"What?"

"That maybe you have more "Maxie" in you then you'd ever admit."

Liz rolled her eyes. "I was being "Maxie", as you put it, long before you knew what a bitch was, so are you interested?"

"Maybe."

"Will you help?"

"Well, maybe I do have something to help you out of your predicament, but it will cost you and I have some conditions."

"Go on."

"You have to wait three days before you listen to it and use it."

"Why?"

"You'll know why starting tomorrow."

"I take it that was the condition. If so, I agree." She didn't want to wait, but she would if it was worth it.

"Trust me. It is just what you need to bring that bitch down. I'll just be setting the stage."

"And the cost?"

"I need a reference."

Liz's brow rose.

"It's not like I made up the gossip. It happened and yes, I know I exposed it, but you and Sarah paid me back for that. I lost Lucky and my job."

Liz was still looking at her like she was crazy. Those two videos had only scratched the surface of getting payback.

"All you have to say that I was good at my job, which I was, and that if you were in the position to hire me, you would."

Liz had a look of disgust on her face. "Fine, if whatever you have is that good, I'll suck it up and give you a reference."

Maxie smiled and got up and went to her desk drawer and handed her a usb drive. "Remember, three days. Helena will be at her lowest and when you spring this on the board, her world will completely come undone."

Liz took the usb and they shook on it. "You better not be double crossing me or I'll make you pay."

Maxie laughed. "If I had known this Liz, we may have been best friends."

"I doubt it," Liz said walking out. She headed back to Grams.

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Liz walked into the living room. "Where are mom and dad?"

"On the back porch," Steven said. "Grams said don't interrupt them."

"And Sarah?"

Steven smirked. "She's in the kitchen with Francis."

"Why do you look so amused?"

Audrey cleared her throat, "Because he's very protective of her and your brother thinks Francis likes her."

"Well, if he does, it's a step up for her. Do not tease her. We need this to happen."

"For what to happen?" Sarah said.

"I can't tell you yet."

Sarah rolled her eyes.

"Where is Francis?"

"Right here," he said carrying out a plate with fruit on it. He put several small plates next to it.

"Thank you, Francis," Audrey said.

"You're welcome. If you need anything else, let me know."

Audrey smiled. She liked him. He was handsome and had manners. They would make her some beautiful grandchildren.

Liz chuckled. She could already see the wheels turning. She grabbed a plate and took some grapes and a couple of cherries. It was going to be fun watching them realize they liked each other.

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Jeff embraced his wife. She was struggling. "I got a note from Gloria."

Andrea groaned. "What did she want?"

"She wants to have lunch tomorrow in her suite."

"Of course she does."

"I don't care what she wants. What do you want?"

"I was thinking it would be probably be better to get it over with."

He took her face in his hands. "I know you could take her, but you need to believe that."

"Yeah. They are probably waiting for us."

"We'll talk about it later."

They went inside and were surprised to see Liz.

"You're back. What did you find?" Jeff asked.

"Well, I went to see Maxie."

"Whatever for?" Audrey asked. Maxie was as trashy as they came and after all the trouble she had caused, she didn't want Liz around her.

"Well, I made a deal with her."

Sarah scrunched up her face. "I'm scared to ask."

"She gave me a usb that I'm allowed to look at and use in three days, and in return I have to give her a good reference."

Steve gagged. "Can you pull that off?"

Liz smirked. "If what is on the usb is as good as I think it is, then yes."

"Why three days?" Audrey.

"I have a feeling that Maxie is going to get some payback of her own."

"I know she was fired. Spinelli told me."

"She was packing, so at least she's leaving town. I think."

"Let's hope so. She has done enough damage to this family," Audrey said.

There was a knock on the door and Steven went to get it. "Mr. and Mrs. Quartermaine." It was not at all who she expected to see.

"May we come in, dear?"

"Of course.."

Steven led them into the living room.

"Edward and Lila. It's delightful to see you," Audrey said giving them both a hug.

Jeff got up and they sat on the couch.

"I hope you know that I voted for you to keep your position," Lila said.

"I very much appreciate that," Jeff said.

"I have a few things on Helena that I think you can use to get Stefan ousted," Edward said. He was disgusted about the way they had treated Sarah. "How are you?"

Sarah smiled. "I'm going to be fine."

Lila passed a package over to Andrea. "That is for you." She had made a few calls and got some dirt on Gloria for Andrea to use.

Andrea wasn't sure what is was. "Thank you. I'll look at it later."

"You're welcome."

"I have pictures of Helena meeting with several board members before the vote."

Jeff smirked. "That ought to shake things up." They would definitely be fired.

"I also have proof that she hired Luke Spencer to steal some art for her."

Andrea smiled. "Excellent."

"Considering image is everything, I'm sure the board will frown on such unscrupulous activities," Sarah said mocking Helen's voice.

"You do that almost too well," Steven said.

Francis stood in the back of the room listening. Everyone was working together and he really hoped that the Webber family could put aside all the bad things that had happened and band together. They needed each other.