Rewriting the Stars
Endgame: Liason
Making his way off the stage, Juan finds his mother waiting for him, the look on her face tells him that she knows. If she knows then it's done and Elizabeth is no longer in the country. Letting out a soft sigh, he walks into her waiting arms, his heart aching that she had to do it this way, but hoping that she's right and this is the path she had to take.
"You did wonderfully out there," Lily says gently, rubs his arms soothingly. "How're you holding up?"
"It hasn't really hit yet," Juan admits, walking with her to his dressing room. "Elizabeth...she's always been my rock. I could call her dead of the night, any day of the week, and she'd pick up. There was no question that I could count on her when it mattered. For her to come to me...to ask me to do this for her...how could I say no?"
"I know," Lily replies softly, seeing that it was hurting him to have to let her go. "And, hey, it's not forever. She'll come back."
"Yeah, but until then I have to tell her family she's gone," Juan says as he takes a seat in front of the vanity. "Zander went to get Steven and Sarah."
"You don't have to be the one to tell them," Lily points out. "I can do it."
"I told her I would..."
"Pretty sure she'd be okay with me telling them," Lily replies simply. "They get here, you and Zander head out, I'll handle the rest."
"Okay," Juan accepts, reaching into his jacket to pull out a piece of paper. "She had me write this out for her. It's for them."
Taking the letter from him, Lily shakes her head, hoping as he does that this is the path meant for Elizabeth to take. For a girl so young, dealing with as much as she's dealing with, she doesn't blame Elizabeth for taking off now. Kidnapped. Beaten. Her grandfather in the condition he's in. Her own grandmother blaming her. Not to mention, her boyfriend's circumstances forcing him to end things. It's a lot for a grown adult to have to deal with, what more for a young girl like Elizabeth? No one can blame her for making the choice she made.
"I have the plane all set up for her," Dr. Hughes voices when she boards the plane to get Elizabeth situated for transfer. "Sans an actual hospital with medical staff, we have all the equipment needed to ensure she has a stable flight."
"The flight was a little harder than we anticipated," Jason explains as he lifts Elizabeth into his arms. "I had to give her a mild sedative to ease the pain."
"We calculated for rough weather, that's why I advised you to request the sedative," Dr. Hughes assures, instructing him to deplane once she has the IV line situated. "This plane is better equipped for medical transfer. She'll have an easier flight this time around, we'll ensure it."
Climbing the steps of the next plane, Jason makes his way to the back of the plane, lowering Elizabeth down onto the waiting bed. Once she's situated, he takes a step back, watching as the doctor hooks her up to the machines, making monitoring her vitals much easier this way. After the doctor does her initial examination, verifying that Elizabeth is stable to continue on, Jason takes a seat by the bed while the doctor lets the pilot know they are ready for take-off.
"I can see now why he made this move," Francis comments as he goes over the state of the Fey business with Johnny. "I honestly have no idea how they've managed to stay afloat for as long as they have."
"They've always been on borrowed time," Johnny admits, closing the file in front of him with a sigh. "It's why Fi had to marry the bastard. If they didn't promise her off, her family's business would have gone up in flames a long time ago."
"Well, it's your business now," Francis points out. "And, from the look of it, saying it's on life support is being generous."
"Give it to me straight," Johnny says seriously. "What are our chances?"
"Honestly? We have one hell of a fight ahead of us, kid," Francis answers honestly. "If we combine our assets, pull whatever favors we still have left to pull, and use our preestablished network to bring business our way, we just might be able to pull this off. With that being said, our first priority is personnel, the only way this works is with people trustworthy and capable to get the job done."
"Which starts with showing them what we're capable of," Johnny agrees. "Same method as usual?"
"Always worked back home," Francis smirks, pulling out his cellphone when it vibrates. "When's the wedding set for?"
"Tomorrow afternoon," Johnny replies, curious by the look on his friend's face as he types into his phone. "Everything good?"
"Jason's calling in a favor," Francis explains, sliding his phone back into his pocket. "If I leave now, I should be back by morning. You okay on your own till then?"
"Yeah, I'm good."
"Okay," Francis accepts, rising to his feet. "If you're okay with it, I'll run some propositions by Jason, see if he can help us hammer out a path of least resistance."
"Yeah, that's fine," Johnny says before a thought hits him, prompting him to remove the books from the safe. "See if he can go over these while you're at it. I can't make heads or tails of it."
"You got it," Francis replies, taking the books from his hands. "I'll try to be fast about it."
With a nod, Johnny retakes his seat, watching as his friend leaves the office, almost tempted to follow him. He had always known that the Fay business was hanging by a string, it was the reason that Fiona's father had wanted her married to Declan, knowing that the O'Brien name carried the heaviest weight, but he was already set to marry someone else. Her ex-husband had been the next best option to keep the Fay business above board.
Francis is right, however, though that doesn't surprise him, this is his business now. What comes of this business is on him and - given his experience and abilities - he has more than enough to pull this place out of the gutter. Whatever the past held, whatever lead to this moment, Johnny will do what it takes to ensure his daughter's legacy.
"She doesn't get to do this," Steven says, tears frozen in his eyes as he shakes the letter at Lily, though a part of him should have known she'd pull something like this. "It's our choice to help her."
"Is there any way you can get her back here?" Sarah questions, instinctively moving to stand beside her brother. "She shouldn't be out there on her own."
"She's not alone," Lily says gently. "And if I knew where she was, I'd tell you, but she's a smart girl. I know it's no consolation, but she's going to receive the best care money can buy."
"She's suffering," Sarah pleads. "She needs her family."
"I understand, truly I do, but Elizabeth made her choice. She loves you both more than any words could convey," Lily says, her hand clasped over her heart. "In a few months, she's going to turn eighteen, she'll find her footing, and she'll be back. You just have to give her the space to do that."
"Okay," Steven voices, raising his hand to stop Sarah from arguing the point. "And her schooling? She has one year left."
"Given the injuries to her hands, she'll need special schooling, but she will receive schooling," Lily assures them. "I'm sorry it has come to this. In her eyes, she believes this is the right path for her to take...for you all to take."
"Thank you," Steven says, rising to his feet, taking in a sharp breath. "I know it couldn't have been easy to tell us."
"Take care of yourselves," Lily says, giving Sarah's hand a reassuring squeeze when Sarah reaches out to her. "Know you have us, if the need arises...you're both family now."
"If you hear from her," Sarah says with a sad smile. "Tell her to call us. We'll do what she wants, but she needs to know she's not alone."
"She won't call," Lily replies softly. "But, if she does, I will."
Wrapping her arms around herself, Lily watches as they link arms, hoping that they will find it in their hearts to understand Elizabeth's choices and know that she did it with them at heart. Walking to the bathroom sink, Lily splashes water on her face, cooling the heat from her body before drying off and walking out to the lobby. A gentle smile touching her lips, she stands by as her son signs autographs, his friend close by. It seems that goodbyes are heavily present this summer, she can only hope that happiness will follow for everyone involved.
"Hey, thanks for flying out," Jason says to Francis as he deplanes. "I know you're busy..."
"Please, that hardly matters," Francis waves away his apology, stepping to the side as they carry Elizabeth from the plane. "I have everything you need set up in the estate. It's isolated and off the grid. You'll be safe there and it's all yours for however long you need it."
"Johnny?" Jason questions as they load into the waiting SUV, leading the ambulance to the estate.
"I didn't tell him," Francis concedes. "He had a hard time letting her go. I don't think telling him will do anyone any good."
"That's your choice," Jason accepts. "You said something about needing my help."
"Yeah, the business is a mess, I was hoping you could help us figure out a way to get it back on solid ground," Francis explains. "Johnny also gave me the books. He's hoping you could make sense of it."
"Once she's settled, I'll take a look," Jason replies after a moment of thought. "I hope you have the key with those books because a bunch of numbers means nothing without it."
"Yeah, I got that, too," Francis assures. "The kid really has a fight ahead of him with this, man, anything you can do to ease that burden will be appreciated."
"Okay, I'll look it over, but I make no promises," Jason says simply. "As willing as I am to help, however, Johnny has chosen to step into the shoes of a boss. He's going to have to learn everything that comes with that if he intends to keep that title."
"I know," Francis agrees. "Once we fix the mess of his predecessor."
"You know as well as I do, excuses get you killed faster," Jason points out, grabbing one of the books from the bag. "I'm not saying this because I don't want to help..."
"You're just shooting straight, I know," Francis assures. "Thanks."
"I should have taught you guys better," Jason sighs, flipping through the pages. "You're not kidding. You guys have one hell of a fight ahead of you."
"You got that from one book?"
"I got that from experience," Jason says, sliding the book back into the bag. "You remember the favor Giambetti called in with Sonny a couple years ago?"
"Yeah, he thought he was being robbed from the inside," Francis confirms. "Are you saying that's what's happening here?"
"I'm saying..." Jason says seriously. "What you've got going on is going to take a lot more than a bullet to the head to fix. I'll find the bleeder, but what comes of it is on you and Johnny. I hope you're ready for it."
Without question, Jason's more than willing to walk into that business guns blazing and fix this for Johnny, but that would only prove to weaken Johnny's standing as the boss. No. If Johnny's going to take on the role of being the boss, head of his business, he's going to have to be the one to put an end to the leeches sucking the business dry and leave a lasting impression that he is not to be messed with. He'll go over the books, clear up what needs clearing up, but the rest is on the two guys.
Knowing them the way he does, their skill sets, and their ability to adapt to any given situation, Jason doesn't doubt that they have what it takes to do what's needed. He can only hope they feel the same because being the boss isn't easy, it comes with hard choices, choices that lead to death, and he can only hope they are solid in their abilities because one slip up in this business can be fatal. As tough as they are, Johnny's soft at his core, and a mistake leading to death will hit him the hardest.
"I should have known she was going to do this," Steven says as Sarah signs the paperwork for her discharge. "The signs were all there."
"Yeah, I know," Sarah sighs, having run the night through her head a thousand times, handing the clipboard back to the nurse. "Wanting to see Gramps...forcing us both to go to the concert... the way she said that she loved us..."
"More like goodbye," Steven shakes his head. "But not forever. We will see her again."
"Where is she?!" Audrey bellows when she spots them at the nurses' station, aptly gaining their attention. "What have you done?! She agreed to be sent off to a facility! You can't just cart her away in the middle of the night because you want to keep her close! She agreed!"
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Sarah questions, walking over to her grandmother. "What did you do?!"
"I only did what was necessary! That girl needs to be put in a facility!" Audrey states angrily. "Where is she?!"
"Tell me you didn't," Sarah pleads, physically shaking as she takes in what her grandmother is saying, her voice raising as reality settles in. "Tell me you didn't blame Elizabeth to her face! Tell me you didn't emotionally blackmail a seventeen-year-old girl into leaving her family behind!"
"Are you saying she just left?" Audrey questions, glancing between the two, realizing just what they were saying. "If she chose to leave, that's her business, at least she was smart enough to not drag her family along with her."
"You are despicable," Sarah states. "If Gramps were awake, he'd be sick to his stomach at what you've done."
"We'll never know, will we?" Audrey counters, anger in her words. "He's barely alive...if not for the machines keeping him that way...well, it's better this way."
"Mark my words, Audrey Hardy," Steven states viciously, standing toe to toe with his grandmother. "If anything happens to my sister - anything at all - because you played on her emotions and forced her to leave behind the people she loves, I will make it my life's mission to make sure you pay. Whether that's legal or otherwise...I promise you that."
"You threatening me, boy?" Audrey questions, glaring daggers at him. "Remember who you are speaking to."
"I know exactly who I'm speaking to," Steven replies plainly. "An old twisted, heartless, soulless, sorry excuse for a woman. Here I thought no one could be worse than our parents...clearly, you are where they get it from."
"Mrs. Hardy?" a voice sounds off from behind her, prompting them all to turn around.
"Yes, doctor?" Audrey schools her emotions, forcing her anger to subside.
"I just got your husband's latest tests back," the doctor explains. "He's one hell of a fighter. Your husband's condition has stabilized. If these tests are any indication, I'd say he's heading toward a full recovery. We'll continue to monitor him, of course, but we're hopeful."
"T-Thank you, doctor," Audrey says, completely dumbfounded by this news. "Please keep me informed."
"Of course," the doctor assures. "If his vitals remain stable in the morning, we'll move him into a suite, I'll come by in the morning and we'll go from there."
"How much you wanna bet, the moment he wakes up he's going to ask for Elizabeth?" Steven says as he moves to stand beside her, watching the doctor walk off. "And how do you think he's going to feel when he finds out that his own wife emotionally blackmailed his granddaughter, a kidnap and torture victim, forcing her to leave behind everyone she loves...I wouldn't hold my breath on forgiveness if I were you. Everyone knows that she was his favorite...no amount of explaining will get him to understand."
"Come on, Steven," Sarah says, touching his back gently. "There's no reasoning with her."
"Yeah, I know," Steven states, looking at Audrey for a moment before shaking his head. "Let's get out of here."
Steven hates Audrey more than anything in the world, more than his parents and that's an impressive feat all its own, finding it so hard to believe that she could be so evil. Who in their right mind blames a teenage girl for being kidnapped and tortured?
With this piece of the puzzle in place, Steven understands now why Elizabeth felt it necessary to leave the way that she did, wanting to give everyone peace. Elizabeth loves their grandfather as much as their grandfather loves her, it makes sense that she would oblige her grandmother's pain, as baseless as it may be, in hopes to not cause her any more pain for their grandfather's sake.
"What do we do now?" Sarah questions as they sit in Steven's car. "We can just leave her thinking she's at fault for what happened to Gramps. She needs to know that she's blameless and that Gramps is going to recover."
"I'll leave word of his recovery with Lily, but that's about all we can do right now," Steven says honestly. "Elizabeth has been put through hell. Our family has done nothing but cause her pain. Maybe...just maybe...this time away will do her some good. She said it herself, it's not forever, we'll see her again. For now, we do what our parents and Audrey refused to do...we give her what she needs."
"And Audrey?" Sarah counters. "She just gets away with emotionally blackmailing Elizabeth?"
"For now," Steven admits sadly. "But once Grandfather is out of the woods...once he's healthy enough to hear it...we'll tell him what she did. Trust me, no one can hold Audrey accountable the way that he can."
"I know you're right, I just..." Sarah sighs, shaking her head. "I can't believe just how badly our family failed her...she deserved so much more than what she got."
"My hope is that by doing this, by letting her find her way on her own terms, she'll find that we are and have always been on her side," Steven says honestly. "And, if we're being honest, she has a better chance at a full recovery with Jason Morgan. He has more than enough means to ensure that she gets treated by the best doctors out there. I know it's hard, but we have to put her first now and this is her best shot."
More than anything, Steven wants to track his sister down and bring her back, wanting to believe that he and Sarah will be enough to get her through, but he's also a realist. The kind of care that Elizabeth needs, Steven can't afford to pay for it, not on his salary and especially given that she's not insured.
Sarah's barely out of high school, any job that she can find right now will barely put a dent in that kind of cost. No, Elizabeth needs funding and she needs to find her own way in the world, if giving her that ensures she makes a full recovery, well, then he's willing to put his own need aside to give her that.
At the end of the day, Elizabeth is the only one that matters, the rest of them just can't matter now. Driving Sarah to their grandparents' house, he helps her to pack up her things and Elizabeth's, loading his car with it all before locking up the house and leaving it behind them.
Knowing his grandfather is out of the woods, Steven has to get back to work, knowing Elizabeth didn't want him putting his job at risk. Not wanting to leave Sarah behind, Steven has convinced her to go with him, knowing that a fresh start will be best for her now.
Elizabeth made her wishes for them extremely clear. She wants them to push through and continue to build their futures because that's exactly what she intends to do. So, with a promise made, he and Sarah will do whatever it takes to ensure that they do what she wanted for them. Hopefully, one day, she'll come back and they will finally enjoy a future without the looming presence that was their family.
"Thanks for this," Francis says, holding up the bag of books. "We appreciate it."
"Sure," Jason nods. "Tell Johnny I'm rooting for him, huh?"
"You got it," Francis assures. "Look, this may be out of line, but...you and the girl..."
"Have a safe flight back to Ireland," Jason says simply, holding out his hand. "If you need any more help..."
"Right," Francis accepts, shaking his hand. "I'll keep her in my prayers."
"Take care."
"You, too," Francis replies, securing the bag over his shoulder before walking off, accepting that it really wasn't any of his business what exists between the two.
Waiting long enough for him to get in the SUV and drive off, Jason closes the door and sets the alarm before making his way to the medical room that was set up for Elizabeth. If he didn't know any better, he'd think he was walking into an actual hospital room, the entire room set up just like one.
Pushing the recliner to the foot of the bed, turning it to face her, Jason settles in with a guidebook. Even with the doctor's best efforts, Elizabeth's flight there was still rough, making him want to keep an eye on her. To know for sure that there would be no lasting effects from the flights.
Before long, Jason finds himself drifting off to sleep, the fatigue too much to overcome, the last thing to enter his mind being Francis's words. You and the girl...the implication sounding off loud and clear...but Jason doesn't have an answer to that.
He doesn't know what's there, he just knows that she's his friend and he will do whatever it takes to give her what she needs, whatever it takes to make her happy. If anyone deserved a life of happiness and hope, it's her and Jason will do whatever it takes to ensure just that.
Author's Note: This is a long one, I know, but it also took MANY hours to write, so, I'm happy it turned out like this. I hope you all enjoyed this update and I can't wait to hear your thoughts and feelings on it. As always, a million virtual hugs to you all and the hope that your days continue to shine brightly through the darkness that's become the world. The struggle is real, but so is the hope and faith in who we are as people. You are in my thoughts and prayers always. Take care and know that you are appreciated. You matter. You are phenomenal. Thank you.