A/N – Thanks for being patient re: my vacation. I was sick most of the time and had to go to the ER straight from the plane. I ended up in the hospital and got out yesterday. Still sluggish but I wanted to try and post something. Anyhoo, hope you enjoy the next chapter.

Chapter 36 – Pieces of the Puzzle

Johnny paced back in forth in the empty warehouse. He never knew what to expect when it came to confronting Claudia, but he'll do whatever it takes to find Liz, even if it means playing nice with his wretched sister.

"Johnny," Claudia said tentatively. She had been tempted to skip the meeting but curiosity had won out.

"Claudia," Johnny said turning to face his sister. She looks thinner, like she hasn't slept for a few days and the sight of her anxiety, briefly gave him pause.

"Why did you need to see me?"

Johnny continued to study her for a moment, figuring he might as well come out with it. "Are you working with Anthony again?"

Claudia pursed her lips and rolled her eyes. "I haven't seen or heard from him in quite a while. Why?"

"I believe that he hired Jerry Jacks to kidnap Elizabeth."

She tried not to react because she isn't sure how much she can actually trust her brother. Part of her believed that maybe Jason was going to burst through the door any minute, guns blazing, but at this point, turning her back on Johnny is not an option since he is the only alliance she has in the family.

"I believe that your statement is accurate."

"Did you help him?"

Johnny watched her reaction carefully.

"No, John. I did not help Anthony kidnap your precious Elizabeth." Her voice dripped with hatred.

"What do you have against her?"

Claudia took another step towards him. "She makes you weak, Johnny. She is not cut out for this life and she would have gotten you killed."

Johnny rolled his eyes. "You have no idea what you're talking about. You jumped to a conclusion as usual, and then reacted irrationally."

"No, I did not. I may not have fought for her, but my hands are clean. All I did was monitor the situation."

"I wish I could believe that. You gonna tell me that Abby wasn't working for you?"

"Believe what you want, but that insipid little twit can barely tie her shoes. Sure, I listened to her rattle on and on, but I never asked her to hurt Liz."

Johnny stared at his sister. He doesn't understand why she acts like such a bitch all the time.

"Part of me feels like I should kill you right now," he said never breaking his stare.

The bile backed up into Claudia's throat. The fact that he would kill her over that little twit is pissing her off. "Then why don't you, Johnny? Go ahead and kill your own family over some girl who dumped you."

Johnny was done. He won't kill her, for now, but he will have her taken away and detained until everything is over; then he'll decide what to do with her.

He threw up four fingers and several men came into the room.

"What the fuck, Johnny?" Claudia said, her eyes growing wide.

"These men will show you to your temporary room. When I get Liz back, we'll go from there."

"Suppose you don't get her back?"

"Then you die."

Johnny smirked at Claudia's shocked face and turned to walk away. He paused for a second and turned back towards her. "By the way, should you remember anything, let me know. If not, I don't want to hear from you."

Claudia watched him walk away. He better kill her, because after this, she is prepared to take everyone out.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Sonny entered the penthouse. The lights were off but he could see Jason standing at the window.

"What do you want?" Jason growled.

"Intel."

Jason took a deep breath and turned towards him. "Go ahead…"

"I've been wracking my brain and I think Jerry wants payback over Jax and I think that lying sack of shit Anthony lied to him and told him that I killed his brother."

"And Elizabeth?"

"We got into one of his safe houses, and there are pictures of Elizabeth everywhere. It's like he's obsessed with her or something."

"Fucking pig," he said before hitting the wall.

"Jason, you have to keep it together. We just have to get to her before the tradeoff is made."

"You for Elizabeth?"

"Yeah."

"It's like they've completely disappeared."

"I know. I will do whatever it takes."

"I can't lose her, Sonny."

"I know." He got up and strode towards the door.

"I want to see the safe house."

Sonny shook his head. "I don't think that's such a good idea."

"Just make it happen."

"Okay."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

When Liz woke up, she was not in the stateroom. Instead, she's in a bedroom. After stretching, she got up and made her way over to the window. "Holy Shit," she said as her eyes scanned the area in front of her which suggests that she is on an island.

She went to the bathroom and then made her way out of the room and then downstairs quickly spotting Jerry on the couch.

"Well, hello there," Jerry said turning.

She made her way over to him. "Where are we?"

"A safe place. There is no one else here except for me and you."

Liz sat on the other side of the couch. "Now what?"

Jerry smiled. "We wait." He put down the book he was holding. "Are you hungry?"

"My stomach is a little upset. Do you have any toast?"

"Of course…"

She followed him into the spacious kitchen. "Boy, you spare no expense do you?"

Jerry chuckled. "Nope."

He showed her around the pantry and kitchen area.

"And just so you know, the keys to the boat are locked in a safe. There is no chance of you getting out of here and you'll only hurt yourself trying. As long as you play nice, everything will be fine."

Liz nodded.

"Bathroom," she said weakly.

Jerry pointed and curiously watched her take off.

When she returned, she is quite pale. He placed the toast in front of her and Liz ate it slowly.

"Tell me Elizabeth, did you and Mr. Morgan practice safe sex?"

She flashed him a look. "And why would that be any of your business?"

"Because you don't have to be a doctor to see that it's quite possible that you are pregnant."

Liz sucked in a breath and then stared back at Jerry. "Well, if it's true, then I guess I'm in a real bind," she said as her eyes filling with tears, "because this baby could be Johnny's or Jason's."

He couldn't hide the look of surprise. "The plot thickens." He swallowed some tea. "And what if it is Johnny's?"

Liz smiled inside, knowing that he was taking the bait. If she is pregnant, it is way too early to tell. Her sickness is probably the result of the drugs and being on land again, but clearly, the Johnny scenario intrigued him. She decided to pretend to be pregnant and maybe it will buy her some time.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Jerry waited until Liz had been sleeping a few hours before he made his way back down to the boat where he unlocked the bridge and grabbed the satellite phone.

"Anthony."

"Jerry. I hear you have my package," Anthony said smiling.

"I do."

"And she is safe?"

"Yes. There's something else that you should know."

"And what might that be?"

"I think she's pregnant."

Anthony laughed maniacally. "What a slut. I'm sure Jason will have no problem delivering Sonny if that is indeed the case."

"She says it could be Johnny's."

Jerry heard a crash and waited.

"Don't you ever say that to me again."

"Well what if it's true?"

Anthony growled loudly. "Then I will take the baby. Maybe it won't be so much of a disappointment."

Jerry rolled his eyes. "Do what you want, but I'm not giving her to you until I know that you have Sonny."

"No problem…"

Anthony hung up the phone and stared out into space. "Come to papa little Sonny," he said laughing.