A/N – Thanks for the comments! Guest – It's called suspense. I'm not rushing through this. It seems longer because I only post twice a week. If you think it's tedious then wait until I post a few chapters and then catch up, wait until the end, or don't read it at all. I do this for free and it takes up a lot of my free time. You don't have to be a jerk about it.

Chapter 39

Liz laughed as she fell against the cushions. This family is just amazing. The game of charades had made her forget about everything and just relax. Everyone else had gone to bed except for her and Enzo.

"Here," he said handing her some water.

"I swear you are the water police."

"If I were, I would have arrested you several times already. You're gonna run out of bail money."

She shook her head.

"I need to tell you something."

She put the bottle on the coffee table. "What?"

"Johnny found a lead regarding Jason. He called me earlier."

Liz's mouth went dry, and she just stared at Enzo like he had four heads. "What do you mean?" Her eyes pricked with tears. "Did they find his body?"

He moved next to her. "No. We've been putting out feelers and increased the reward and someone bit."

"Go on."

"An ambulance was there that night. The man said he heard shooting and hid, and stayed there for a while, and when he was heading back to his car, he saw an ambulance driving away without their lights on shortly after Jason was shot."

She swallowed hard. "And you think that someone took him?"

"Maybe—God, I hate coming to you when we're not sure. You've been through so much. Mac truly thinks that he wasn't thrown in the water. Would you rather I keep things to myself until I know for sure?"

She put her hand on his. "I want to say no, tell me, but I'm so scared to get my hopes up. Does that make me a coward?" Someone could have moved him and then got rid of the body. There is just no way to tell and it pains her to even think about it.

"No. You're just trying to survive."

"If you find something substantial and need to prepare me, then tell me. Otherwise…"

He squeezed her hand. "I get it." He stood. "Come on. It's time to tuck you in."

She allowed him to pull her up. "Are you going to read me a story?"

"Hmm, I might have one about a girl who got her ass kicked in the fifth annual snowbowl."

She laughed. "Very funny…"

"I thought so."

She suddenly stopped. "Enzo, thank you for being there for me. You're more than a guard to me."

He smiled. "I feel like I've gained another sister and need to level the playing field."

She shook her head. "Maybe you can adopt Marco."

"He snores."

"No, he doesn't."

"And how do you know that?"

"He's stayed with me overnight and I don't recall it."

They walked upstairs. "You probably were knocked out. Trust me, he's loud."

"I'm gonna tell him you said that. Is he on night duty?"

"Yes. He'll eat breakfast with us tomorrow."

"Good." She moved into her room. "Later…"

"Later…"

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Sonny strode into the Oasis and looked around and waved at the manager.

A waitress took him to a VIP table and got him something to drink. Several dancers did their routine, but still no Delores. He wonders if she changed her mind.

About twenty minutes later, he's ready to leave when the lights went down, and sexy music started to play. A spotlight goes on at the center of the stage, and there is a woman hanging upside down on a pole with her legs split, prompting several whistles to fill the room. When she rights herself and slides down the pole, he almost swallowed his tongue when he realizes it is her. She had only been working there for three days and she's already a headliner. A smile lights up his face—unbelievable. Her hair, which he guesses is a wig, is blonde and long. While she still looks hot, he likes her dark hair much better. The things she's doing on the pole should be illegal and he wonders just how far her pole dancing classes went. By the time she finished, the crowd was going wild.

Sonny looked over his shoulder and then the manager nodded and soon, he's being led to a back room. Sitting on a couch, he waits for several minutes until she appeared. A grin lit up her face.

"Mr. Corinthos, how did you like the show?"

"What do you think?"

The way he is staring at her is so sexy that she had to remind herself that he's off-limits. "I'm going to sit on your lap in case the boss comes in."

He almost growled. "Are you trying to kill me?" The outfit pretty much only covered up enough, so she wasn't totally exposed, but it left little to the imagination.

She chuckled before straddling him and then eying him.

"What?"

She smoothed his hair back. "I always wanted to mess up your hair."

His brow lifted. "Why?"

"It's just so perfect, and sometimes messy is good."

She suddenly did a backbend, so he supported her back as her boss looked in and then left. Due to her training, she is acutely aware of her surroundings and knows the boss is not far away.

"Thanks."

He let out a slow breath. She is petite, but her chest is just the right size and she is curvy in all the right places.

"How's your investigation going?" He had to distract himself before his cock got any harder.

"I'm not sure. Someone was attacked two days ago. They seem to be targeting blondes."

"Is that why you have that on?"

"Yes."

"Your eyes are lighter."

She smirked. "You're very observant."

"You're very beautiful."

"So, you like the new look?"

"I prefer the real you, but you still look hot."

"That's what I was going for."

She stood and bent forward and shivered when she felt his breath on her chest.

"Two minutes," the boss said.

She turned so her back was to Sonny and then leaned against him, and then he pressed his head against hers.

"I don't like you leaving here alone. Are you working in teams?"

"Yes and No. I'm leaving tonight by myself like I did the last couple of nights." They had let her watch and get a feel of the shows on Thursday night.

When he didn't reply, she stood and turned so she could face him. "I'll be fine."

"Don't let your guard down."

She bit her lip and then leaned forward. "I won't. Later…"

She sauntered out and then he went to find the manager.

"She's mine. No one else goes back there with her."

The man smirked.

"I'll pay."

"Okay."

"I'll send my guy by tomorrow."

Sonny left, she'll probably be pissed, but oh well. She's gonna be mad when she finds out that a guard is shadowing her anyway. Hopefully, it won't take long to find this creep. He doesn't like other men ogling her. Smirking, he wonders how much he'll have to grovel once all of this is over.

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Elizabeth quietly went downstairs and slipped into the kitchen. She can't sleep because she's not used to her surroundings. It feels nice to let her guard down with the family, but Jason is never far from her mind.

Micah entered the kitchen and froze. "Hey. You okay?"

She smiled. "Yes. I couldn't sleep and wanted some hot chocolate. You want a cup?"

"Sure…"

He sat on a stool and studied her as she moved around the kitchen. After checking out the perimeter, he had come inside to get some water. It's quiet here, and while he'll never let his guard down, the grounds are peaceful.

Liz ran her fingers through her hair. "I must look like a mess."

"You're fine." She is one of those rare people who usually looks good no matter what, except for when she has been crying and that has been way too much since Jason was shot.

"You're too kind," she said before grabbing two mugs. Isabel had shown her how to make it so it has very little caffeine, but she'd make his the normal way.

He smiled. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm good now that the morning sickness is over." She placed his hot chocolate in front of him and then went back to making hers.

He blew and took a sip. "This is good."

"Enjoy…" She poured the liquid into a mug and then smelled it. "So good…"

He chuckled. Elizabeth is easy to please. "So, can I get your advice on something?"

"Sure…"

"It's Kiera's birthday next weekend and I'm not sure what to get her."

Liz slid onto a stool. "What does she like?"

"Well, she loves the outdoors and sports. Her major is teaching, and she isn't a romantic type of person because she says she's independent."

When he scratched his head, she almost laughed.

"Well, let me tell you, I was really independent too, but when Jason did something romantic, which isn't exactly his nature either, it was so special because I knew he put thought into it. Now, that doesn't mean it had to be this big thing." She sighed. "It could have been a matchbook and I would have swooned. "

He chuckled.

"Give her something that reminds you of her. It doesn't have to be very big. Sometimes, the smallest thing can mean more than anything grandiose. Jason was a listener. He heard things you never realized you were sharing and filed it away and then he'd give me something as simple as a piece of red glass and I thought it was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." She wiped a tear away.

"I'm sorry if I made you sad."

"It's not your fault. Between the pregnancy and the shooting, I'm just hyper-emotional."

"I know we don't talk a lot."

"You are usually pretty serious."

He slightly smiled. "You're important and I try to stay focused."

Her eyes narrowed. "So, are you trying to make a good impression?"

"Yes. I like the organization and hope to have even more responsibility someday."

"Well, I think you're great, and I'm happy that you've found someone. Of course, I'll have to meet and question her."

He chuckled.

"No, I'm serious."

When he finally frowned and tilted his head, she laughed, and he joined her.

"I don't want you dating a crazy person."

"She's great. Maybe we can have a barbeque over the summer, and you can meet her."

"I would like that. You can invite her to the opening of the center too."

She yawned and he grinned.

"See, I've bored you to death."

"No, I don't mind spending time with you."

"Good to know."

She headed upstairs under his watchful eye and went to bed.

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The doctor entered Jason's room.

"What do you want?"

The man prepared the syringe and then moved to the IV.

"What is that?"

"Something that will make you more cooperative."

"Like what?"

"I don't know. I just do what I'm told. Dr. Devlin prepared it." He can't wait until this is over and he can disappear.

Jason kept repeating that name in his head so he wouldn't forget it. "You inject me with that, and you will die painfully."

The doctor paused. "If I don't, people I love will die."

"I can protect them if you get me out of here."

"I'm sorry but, I need to finish this."

A sinking feeling slammed into Jason as the liquid is injected. What has Carly done?"

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Liz sighed as she packed her bags. The week had gone fast. It has been over a month since Jason was brutally taken from her, and she stills as numb as she had been that day.

Enzo stepped into the doorway. "Mom packed you some cookies and said you can come back any time you want. She had to leave to take my dad to the doctor.

"It was nice getting away."

His eyes narrowed.

"What?"

"Your nose is bleeding."

She ran into the bathroom and grabbed some tissues.

"Should I take you to see your doctor?"

She shook her head. "I was reading, and this can be a side effect. My body is going through a lot. I can feel the baby flutter more."

"That's kind of freaky."

"Tell me about it… I need to go shopping. I'm having a growth spurt."

He nodded. "We can stop on the way home."

"Thank you."

He left her alone and she sighed as she gazed into the mirror. Jason would probably have enjoyed that her boobs are two sizes bigger, although he had never complained before. God, she wishes he was here to experience everything. After washing her face and fixing her hair, she headed downstairs. It's time to face reality once again.

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Carly stared at Jason who hadn't said a word since the injection. The doctor thinks he's fighting it. Either that or his previous brain damage is causing the medicine to behave differently, possibly slowing its effect. She has already called Dr. Devlin to get some insight. They have a call scheduled for tomorrow.

Jason is struggling. Carly had told him that she loves him, and they are perfect together; that he belongs with her a million times already. This whole situation is getting dangerous, and he doesn't understand what the drug is supposed to do. Is she trying to get him to lose his memory? She won't tell him, and Carly is most dangerous when she's desperate. It's unbelievable that she would take it this far. You can't help who you love, and Carly is not on his list; especially now. Hopefully, he'll be able to fight it a while longer, but time is running out.

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Monica hugged Liz. "Welcome back. How was your trip?"

Liz sat on the couch. "It was good to spend some time with them." She had also finished her last school project and will turn it in later.

"You have a lot of people who care about you."

"I'm seeing that. It's nice."

AJ entered the room with Michael. "Hey."

"Hi." She smiled at the baby. "Hi, Michael."

Michael grinned and reached for her.

"Do you mind?" AJ asked.

"No. It's fine."

He placed the baby on her lap.

"I guess I better get used to this."

"Have you ever babysat?" Monica asked.

"Yes. Usually, the kids were older than this, but there was one family down the street that I would watch their eight-month-old girl. I was nervous at first, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be."

"I think you'll do fine." His phone rang. "Do you mind?"

"No. It's fine." She stood Michael up and he started to bounce.

Monica smiled. "He likes you."

Liz made a face and Michael laughed. Usually, the other members of the family monopolized Michael, so she hadn't had a chance to play with him. It's almost sad holding him, knowing how much Jason loved the little boy.

Brenda joined them. "So, I was wondering if you'd be up for a shopping trip?"

"I need one. Enzo and I stopped at a store on the way home, but they didn't have a lot."

Brenda smiled.

Monica rummaged in her purse. "This is from the trust fund."

"Monica…"

"Elizabeth, Jason would want you and the baby to be taken care of. Please don't reject it."

She sighed. "Fine…"

"Thank you." She handed over the envelope.

"I used to go shopping on Jason all the time."

Liz tickled Michael and he laughed. "Really?"

"Yup. He loved to get rid of me, so he'd give me his card. I always bought him something too though."

"You had an interesting relationship."

"If he had just listened to me, it would have been much better."

Liz chuckled. "Somehow, I don't think he saw it that way."

"He didn't have much of a sense of humor when it came to me. I think I gave him grey hair."

Monica laughed. "You two were ridiculous and argued for the sake of arguing."

Brenda grinned.

AJ came back and grabbed Michael. "Time for your nap. Thank you for watching him."

"He's fun."

Brenda pulled her to her feet. "Are those shoes comfy?"

"Yeah."

"Let's go."