Chapter Four
Sonny strode into the hospital, walking quickly up to the nurses station. "Elizabeth Lansing's room, please," he asked quietly.
"412," the nurse on duty answered after checking.
Sonny nodded. "Thanks." He turned and began to walk in that direction. When he got to Elizabeth's room, he peeked inside. Ric was sitting beside her bed, her hand twined in his, his face looking broken. Sonny gently pushed the door open, walking inside. "How is she?"
Ric turned to look at his brother, his eyes anguished and haunted. Sonny was taken aback by the pain in his half-brother's eyes. "Not well," he whispered. "She had a pulmonary embolism. She might wake up with brain damage."
Sonny approached the bed, feeling his heart go out to the woman who'd been his friend in so many instances, and his foe since her mistaken love for Ric. He reached down and gently took her hand in his, feeling her soft skin. Sonny glanced over at Ric. "Who did this?"
Ric averted his eyes, setting Elizabeth's other hand down and getting up. He walked towards the window. "I don't know," Ric lied, his heart breaking all over again as he spoke. "I don't think it's a who, though. I think it's more a what. What did this to my wife?"
Sonny's eyes hardened suspiciously. While he didn't believe Jason or Michael that Ric took Carly, the way Ric wouldn't look at him struck a chord in Sonny's gut. "You don't think Alcazar is responsible?"
Ric stiffened; a move Sonny very much noticed. "W -- why would Alcazar want to hurt Elizabeth?"
Sonny glanced back at Elizabeth, setting her hand back down. He gently smoothed her hair away from her face and then looked back at Ric. "It's hard to imagine anyone wanting to hurt our wives," he said softly. "They're so innocent, and sweet. And yet," his voice hardened, "someone
kidnapped Carly, and for all you know, someone hurt Elizabeth. Maybe Alcazar was mad that you stopped working with him in order to save your marriage. He doesn't consider love a major thing to remain loyal to."
Ric nodded, turning back to face Sonny. "I realize that. You're right, Sonny. Perhaps Alcazar did something to Elizabeth."
But Sonny noticed he didn't say it with much anger or gumption. "Do you think you'd be able to find out?"
Ric laughed bitterly. "Yeah, like he'd have left a trail if it was him, Sonny. You know better than that."
Sonny's fist clenched. He had a gnawing feeling in the pit of his stomach. "I'd better go," he decided. "Please give Elizabeth my best when she wakes up. I - I'll pray for her."
"Thanks," Ric said softly.
Sonny held his brother's eyes for a long moment and then left.
Ric sat down at his wife's beside with a tortured sigh, closing his eyes and resting his head against Elizabeth. "I'm an idiot," he whispered softly. "I never expected you, Elizabeth. When I came to town, it was solely for revenge on my brother. I never expected to fall in love with
anyone." He raised his eyes to stare at his wife's face. "I want to be worthy of your love. I want to grow old with you, have tons of babies with you." His face hardened. "Babies. That was what started this mess. All I wanted was to ease your pain. Give you a child to replace the one you
lost. Revenge on my brother and your happiness at the same time. It was perfect. And now, thanks to my stupidity, it's all blown up in my face." Ric took Elizabeth's hand and pressed it to his cheek. "I'm so sorry, Elizabeth. And I will make it up to you, I promise. I will be worthy of your love."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that."
Ric looked up and groaned, his eyes narrowing. "What are you doing here, Lorenzo?"
Lorenzo gave him a smug look and walked into the room. "You're out of control, Ric, and you're way beyond the point of no return. Your only option is to continue as you are. Kill Elizabeth; she's only getting in the way. She's destined to find out about Carly anyway, if she hasn't already."
Ric stood up, carefully lowering Elizabeth's hand. "Get out," he hissed. "I would never kill my wife, I love her too much." His voice cracked with the emotion in his words.
Lorenzo sighed. "Love. It's such a useless word. What's to gain from loving someone, except heartache?"
Ric rolled his eyes. "I wouldn't expect *you* to understand about love."
"Why?" Lorenzo advanced on Ric, a menacing look in his eye. "Are you insinuating I've never loved?"
"That's exactly what I am insinuating," Ric said, standing firm. "If you had, you would never suggest I kill Elizabeth."
Lorenzo shrugged. "I guess it all depends on how badly you want revenge on Sonny. You need to be like me, no emotional stake involved. Only everything to gain."
"Like what?" Ric asked.
"I plan on being allowed to use Sonny's transportation network," Lorenzo informed Ric. "Purely a professional motivation - that's the best way to make plans work. But," he assessed Ric. "If you really are into this whole love thing, then give Carly to me. No muss, no fuss. I'll take the plan from here and none will be the wiser."
Ric laughed sarcastically. "Right. You won't kill her, so she'll tell Elizabeth eventually who had her."
"Take Elizabeth away from here," Lorenzo suggested. "Far away, where Sonny & Carly will never find you. Your marriage to Elizabeth will be safe, and you can start new lives."
"If she wakes up," Ric mused, turning back to her, "then that would be a good idea."
"And I can take Carly and finish my business plan," Lorenzo added.
Ric lifted his eyes to Lorenzo, nodding slowly. "If Elizabeth wakes up, then you have yourself a deal."
Lorenzo reached out his hand, smiling. "I'm glad to hear that." They shook hands, the deal set.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*`*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"No," Carly tossed around. "No .... not my baby... no ... JASON!" she screamed, sitting up in bed. Her body was damp with sweat and she was shaking, gasping for breath.
"I'm right here!" Jason leapt onto the bed beside her and wrapped her in his arms. "I'm right here, Carly," he said soothingly, rocking her gently.
Carly rested her cheek against his chest, closing her eyes and listening to his heart. She breathed slowly, her shaking slowly subsiding as the pounding of her heart slowed.
Jason rocked her until he felt her body relax in his arms. When he felt she was calm, he pulled back slightly, looking into her eyes. "Want to tell me about it?"
"I had a dream that the baby was born, and Ric had him," Carly whispered, her eyes full of anguish. She clung to Jason, her fingers curled into his shirt. "Don't let him take my baby, Jase. Please."
Jason rested his chin on her head, breathing softly into her hair. "I won't, Carly," he said reassuringly. "No one will ever take your baby from you, I promise. You, Michael and the baby will always be safe." His arms wrapped more tightly around her, his love for her spilling out of him in
his words. Try as he might, he couldn't keep them hidden. But he wasn't going to act on them either. Or take advantage of an obviously traumatized woman.
Carly pulled her head back and looked up at Jason. "I don't deserve you," she whispered, gently touching his cheek. "You never gave up on me while I was in there. All those times I you come into Ric's house, looking for me. And even when you struck out time and time again, you never gave up. How did you know? And why?"
"Michael told us Ric had taken you," Jason answered. "I went to his house to investigate and when I got there, I could ... " he trailed off, looking at her uncertainly.
"You could what?" Carly whispered, her eyes locked on his.
"I could feel you there," Jason replied, his own eyes gazing into hers. He reached out and gently smoothed her hair away from her face. "Once I felt that, I wouldn't give up."
"Like Sonny did," Carly said, a trace of bitterness entering her voice. "He didn't believe Ric had me, did he?"
Jason sighed. "He thought it was too much of a co-incidence. Ric kept going on and on about wanting to help Sonny find you and that he would never have taken you considering he was trying to mend bridges with Sonny and Sonny bought it hook, line & sinker."
"But you didn't," Carly pointed out. "You knew that he was lying and that he had me."
"I've never liked Ric," Jason reminded her. "I've never trusted him, and after I felt you in his house .... I just couldn't figure out exactly where he had you."
"I'm so glad Elizabeth finally found that button," Carly whispered, closing her eyes briefly. She opened them and looked at Jason. "And that you never gave up. We have a connection, Jase." Carly took his hand in her, lacing her fingers through his. "We've always had a connection."
Jason felt his heart rate begin to speed up as their fingers locked together. "I will never give up on you, Carly," he said softly. His eyes met hers again, and a smile crossed his face. "You mean too much to me."
Carly lifted her face slowly. Her lips met his and Jason felt something explode in his ears. He eased his arms back around her waist, pulling her close to him as he deepened their kiss. When they both pulled back, their breathing was labored. "Thanks for rescuing me," Carly whispered, smiling up at him, her eyes light and happy.
Jason couldn't think straight. "Uh, you're welcome," he muttered. Just then they were interrupted by the bedroom door flying open.
"MOMMY!" Michael tore into the room and threw himself on the bed, right in between Jason & Carly. He threw his arms around Carly, almost knocking her over. "I'm so glad you're back, Mommy!"
"Whoa!" Jason reached out and wrapped his arms around Carly to steady her. "Be careful, Michael," Jason chastised gently. "Don't forget about the baby."
Michael immediately pulled back a bit. "I'm sorry, Mommy!"
"Don't be, Mr. Man," Carly said hoarsely, tears falling down her face. "I've missed you as much as you've missed me." She pulled Michael back in her arms and kissed him all over his face.
"Yuck!" Michael frowned and squirmed out of her grip. "Why are you sad, Mommy?"
Jason took a Kleenex and reached over, gently wiping the tears from Carly's face. "She's happy to see us, Michael," Jason explained. "Sometimes when someone is really happy about something, they cry too."
"Ugh." Michael made a face. "I will never do that."
Jason grinned. "Me neither," he pretended to whisper. "Only girls do that."
"Hey!" Carly tapped them both playfully. "That's the last time I'll ever be happy to see either of you!"
Jason pretended to be disappointed. "Awwwwww."
Michael giggled. "You two are silly. Does Daddy know you're home yet, Mommy?"
The smile faded from both Jason's and Carly's eyes. "No," Jason answered before Carly could open her mouth. "Daddy is busy right now. But we'll make sure we call him later. I'm sure he wants to see Mommy very much."
"Is he getting Ric in trouble for taking Mommy?" Michael asked.
"Ric will be in trouble, Michael," Jason assured him, a gleam in his eye. "You won't have to worry about Ric hurting Mommy ever again."
"Good." Michael leaned into Carly's arms. "Can I sleep with you tonight, Mommy?"
"Oh," Carly sighed. "We'll see how I'm feeling, okay Mr. Man? Mommy's not feeling all the best right now." Her arms locked tightly around her son.
Jason slid off the bed. "Speaking with that, I'm going to go check and see where the doctor is."
"See you when you get back!" Michael called as Jason headed for the door.
Jason grinned. "Keep an eye on your Mom while I'm gone. Come get me if there's a problem."
"I will!" Michael smiled proudly, pleased to be assigned such an important task.
Carly smiled at Jason over Michael's head. "Thanks."
"Anytime." With one last look at mother and son, heads bent close together in conversation, Jason left the room.
Sonny strode into the hospital, walking quickly up to the nurses station. "Elizabeth Lansing's room, please," he asked quietly.
"412," the nurse on duty answered after checking.
Sonny nodded. "Thanks." He turned and began to walk in that direction. When he got to Elizabeth's room, he peeked inside. Ric was sitting beside her bed, her hand twined in his, his face looking broken. Sonny gently pushed the door open, walking inside. "How is she?"
Ric turned to look at his brother, his eyes anguished and haunted. Sonny was taken aback by the pain in his half-brother's eyes. "Not well," he whispered. "She had a pulmonary embolism. She might wake up with brain damage."
Sonny approached the bed, feeling his heart go out to the woman who'd been his friend in so many instances, and his foe since her mistaken love for Ric. He reached down and gently took her hand in his, feeling her soft skin. Sonny glanced over at Ric. "Who did this?"
Ric averted his eyes, setting Elizabeth's other hand down and getting up. He walked towards the window. "I don't know," Ric lied, his heart breaking all over again as he spoke. "I don't think it's a who, though. I think it's more a what. What did this to my wife?"
Sonny's eyes hardened suspiciously. While he didn't believe Jason or Michael that Ric took Carly, the way Ric wouldn't look at him struck a chord in Sonny's gut. "You don't think Alcazar is responsible?"
Ric stiffened; a move Sonny very much noticed. "W -- why would Alcazar want to hurt Elizabeth?"
Sonny glanced back at Elizabeth, setting her hand back down. He gently smoothed her hair away from her face and then looked back at Ric. "It's hard to imagine anyone wanting to hurt our wives," he said softly. "They're so innocent, and sweet. And yet," his voice hardened, "someone
kidnapped Carly, and for all you know, someone hurt Elizabeth. Maybe Alcazar was mad that you stopped working with him in order to save your marriage. He doesn't consider love a major thing to remain loyal to."
Ric nodded, turning back to face Sonny. "I realize that. You're right, Sonny. Perhaps Alcazar did something to Elizabeth."
But Sonny noticed he didn't say it with much anger or gumption. "Do you think you'd be able to find out?"
Ric laughed bitterly. "Yeah, like he'd have left a trail if it was him, Sonny. You know better than that."
Sonny's fist clenched. He had a gnawing feeling in the pit of his stomach. "I'd better go," he decided. "Please give Elizabeth my best when she wakes up. I - I'll pray for her."
"Thanks," Ric said softly.
Sonny held his brother's eyes for a long moment and then left.
Ric sat down at his wife's beside with a tortured sigh, closing his eyes and resting his head against Elizabeth. "I'm an idiot," he whispered softly. "I never expected you, Elizabeth. When I came to town, it was solely for revenge on my brother. I never expected to fall in love with
anyone." He raised his eyes to stare at his wife's face. "I want to be worthy of your love. I want to grow old with you, have tons of babies with you." His face hardened. "Babies. That was what started this mess. All I wanted was to ease your pain. Give you a child to replace the one you
lost. Revenge on my brother and your happiness at the same time. It was perfect. And now, thanks to my stupidity, it's all blown up in my face." Ric took Elizabeth's hand and pressed it to his cheek. "I'm so sorry, Elizabeth. And I will make it up to you, I promise. I will be worthy of your love."
"I wouldn't be so sure about that."
Ric looked up and groaned, his eyes narrowing. "What are you doing here, Lorenzo?"
Lorenzo gave him a smug look and walked into the room. "You're out of control, Ric, and you're way beyond the point of no return. Your only option is to continue as you are. Kill Elizabeth; she's only getting in the way. She's destined to find out about Carly anyway, if she hasn't already."
Ric stood up, carefully lowering Elizabeth's hand. "Get out," he hissed. "I would never kill my wife, I love her too much." His voice cracked with the emotion in his words.
Lorenzo sighed. "Love. It's such a useless word. What's to gain from loving someone, except heartache?"
Ric rolled his eyes. "I wouldn't expect *you* to understand about love."
"Why?" Lorenzo advanced on Ric, a menacing look in his eye. "Are you insinuating I've never loved?"
"That's exactly what I am insinuating," Ric said, standing firm. "If you had, you would never suggest I kill Elizabeth."
Lorenzo shrugged. "I guess it all depends on how badly you want revenge on Sonny. You need to be like me, no emotional stake involved. Only everything to gain."
"Like what?" Ric asked.
"I plan on being allowed to use Sonny's transportation network," Lorenzo informed Ric. "Purely a professional motivation - that's the best way to make plans work. But," he assessed Ric. "If you really are into this whole love thing, then give Carly to me. No muss, no fuss. I'll take the plan from here and none will be the wiser."
Ric laughed sarcastically. "Right. You won't kill her, so she'll tell Elizabeth eventually who had her."
"Take Elizabeth away from here," Lorenzo suggested. "Far away, where Sonny & Carly will never find you. Your marriage to Elizabeth will be safe, and you can start new lives."
"If she wakes up," Ric mused, turning back to her, "then that would be a good idea."
"And I can take Carly and finish my business plan," Lorenzo added.
Ric lifted his eyes to Lorenzo, nodding slowly. "If Elizabeth wakes up, then you have yourself a deal."
Lorenzo reached out his hand, smiling. "I'm glad to hear that." They shook hands, the deal set.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*`*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"No," Carly tossed around. "No .... not my baby... no ... JASON!" she screamed, sitting up in bed. Her body was damp with sweat and she was shaking, gasping for breath.
"I'm right here!" Jason leapt onto the bed beside her and wrapped her in his arms. "I'm right here, Carly," he said soothingly, rocking her gently.
Carly rested her cheek against his chest, closing her eyes and listening to his heart. She breathed slowly, her shaking slowly subsiding as the pounding of her heart slowed.
Jason rocked her until he felt her body relax in his arms. When he felt she was calm, he pulled back slightly, looking into her eyes. "Want to tell me about it?"
"I had a dream that the baby was born, and Ric had him," Carly whispered, her eyes full of anguish. She clung to Jason, her fingers curled into his shirt. "Don't let him take my baby, Jase. Please."
Jason rested his chin on her head, breathing softly into her hair. "I won't, Carly," he said reassuringly. "No one will ever take your baby from you, I promise. You, Michael and the baby will always be safe." His arms wrapped more tightly around her, his love for her spilling out of him in
his words. Try as he might, he couldn't keep them hidden. But he wasn't going to act on them either. Or take advantage of an obviously traumatized woman.
Carly pulled her head back and looked up at Jason. "I don't deserve you," she whispered, gently touching his cheek. "You never gave up on me while I was in there. All those times I you come into Ric's house, looking for me. And even when you struck out time and time again, you never gave up. How did you know? And why?"
"Michael told us Ric had taken you," Jason answered. "I went to his house to investigate and when I got there, I could ... " he trailed off, looking at her uncertainly.
"You could what?" Carly whispered, her eyes locked on his.
"I could feel you there," Jason replied, his own eyes gazing into hers. He reached out and gently smoothed her hair away from her face. "Once I felt that, I wouldn't give up."
"Like Sonny did," Carly said, a trace of bitterness entering her voice. "He didn't believe Ric had me, did he?"
Jason sighed. "He thought it was too much of a co-incidence. Ric kept going on and on about wanting to help Sonny find you and that he would never have taken you considering he was trying to mend bridges with Sonny and Sonny bought it hook, line & sinker."
"But you didn't," Carly pointed out. "You knew that he was lying and that he had me."
"I've never liked Ric," Jason reminded her. "I've never trusted him, and after I felt you in his house .... I just couldn't figure out exactly where he had you."
"I'm so glad Elizabeth finally found that button," Carly whispered, closing her eyes briefly. She opened them and looked at Jason. "And that you never gave up. We have a connection, Jase." Carly took his hand in her, lacing her fingers through his. "We've always had a connection."
Jason felt his heart rate begin to speed up as their fingers locked together. "I will never give up on you, Carly," he said softly. His eyes met hers again, and a smile crossed his face. "You mean too much to me."
Carly lifted her face slowly. Her lips met his and Jason felt something explode in his ears. He eased his arms back around her waist, pulling her close to him as he deepened their kiss. When they both pulled back, their breathing was labored. "Thanks for rescuing me," Carly whispered, smiling up at him, her eyes light and happy.
Jason couldn't think straight. "Uh, you're welcome," he muttered. Just then they were interrupted by the bedroom door flying open.
"MOMMY!" Michael tore into the room and threw himself on the bed, right in between Jason & Carly. He threw his arms around Carly, almost knocking her over. "I'm so glad you're back, Mommy!"
"Whoa!" Jason reached out and wrapped his arms around Carly to steady her. "Be careful, Michael," Jason chastised gently. "Don't forget about the baby."
Michael immediately pulled back a bit. "I'm sorry, Mommy!"
"Don't be, Mr. Man," Carly said hoarsely, tears falling down her face. "I've missed you as much as you've missed me." She pulled Michael back in her arms and kissed him all over his face.
"Yuck!" Michael frowned and squirmed out of her grip. "Why are you sad, Mommy?"
Jason took a Kleenex and reached over, gently wiping the tears from Carly's face. "She's happy to see us, Michael," Jason explained. "Sometimes when someone is really happy about something, they cry too."
"Ugh." Michael made a face. "I will never do that."
Jason grinned. "Me neither," he pretended to whisper. "Only girls do that."
"Hey!" Carly tapped them both playfully. "That's the last time I'll ever be happy to see either of you!"
Jason pretended to be disappointed. "Awwwwww."
Michael giggled. "You two are silly. Does Daddy know you're home yet, Mommy?"
The smile faded from both Jason's and Carly's eyes. "No," Jason answered before Carly could open her mouth. "Daddy is busy right now. But we'll make sure we call him later. I'm sure he wants to see Mommy very much."
"Is he getting Ric in trouble for taking Mommy?" Michael asked.
"Ric will be in trouble, Michael," Jason assured him, a gleam in his eye. "You won't have to worry about Ric hurting Mommy ever again."
"Good." Michael leaned into Carly's arms. "Can I sleep with you tonight, Mommy?"
"Oh," Carly sighed. "We'll see how I'm feeling, okay Mr. Man? Mommy's not feeling all the best right now." Her arms locked tightly around her son.
Jason slid off the bed. "Speaking with that, I'm going to go check and see where the doctor is."
"See you when you get back!" Michael called as Jason headed for the door.
Jason grinned. "Keep an eye on your Mom while I'm gone. Come get me if there's a problem."
"I will!" Michael smiled proudly, pleased to be assigned such an important task.
Carly smiled at Jason over Michael's head. "Thanks."
"Anytime." With one last look at mother and son, heads bent close together in conversation, Jason left the room.
