Chapter 18:

Esme targets Cameron. Elizabeth returns to work.

During all the time she spent visiting Spencer when he was working at Kelly's Diner, Esme learned all the ways in and out. She found a way in from the back and waited near the cold storage area. Cameron saw the last customer leave, locked the door, and turned the sign to 'closed.' Esme peers out, and a guard is quietly reading a new newspaper. Cam walks back to wash the dishes and prep the food for the next day.

Esme chloroforms Cam, knocks him out, and starts a grease fire as a distraction.

Jason's phone rings at about 11:00 pm, waking Elizabeth and him up. "What?!, Jason exclaims. "Is he there or at General Hospital? Elizabeth and I will be there in 15 minutes." Jason fills Elizabeth in as they get dressed, and she asks Jake to watch Aiden.

The EMTs evaluate Cameron when Jason and Elizabeth arrive at Kelly's. The fire trucks are inspecting inside Kelly's to survey the damages. Elizabeth runs to check on Cameron.

Elizabeth asks Cameron, "are you hurt?"

Cam replies, "mom, I'm okay. I have a concussion and a little smoke inhalation. I do not need to go to General Hospital. I told the EMTs that you are a nurse and can monitor me at home."

Elizabeth asks, "do you think it was Esme who hit you and started the fire?"

Cameron replies, "I don't know. I didn't see anyone; someone hit me from behind. I'm not sure I would have survived if Jason's men weren't there."

Elizabeth holds her son close and says, "you must thank Jason. I am so glad you didn't suffer a worse fate. As soon as Jason knows more from his guards, they will need to make a statement to the police, and I want us to go home."

The fire inspector tells Elizabeth and Cameron; that the damage is minimal. He says, "the fire was limited to the kitchen. It could have spread if it wasn't for a fast-thinking individual; Kelly's should be able to re-open in a few days."

Jason confers with his guard before the police arrive. His guard heard a commotion and rescued Cameron. He checked Cameron for a pulse, grabbed a fired extinguisher, and put the fire out. Esme had gotten away.

The police arrive, and the guards give their statements. Cameron is unable to offer much information. Jason drives them home, and the guard ensures Cam's car is back at Elizabeth's. He takes an Uber back to Kelly's to retrieve his car. Jason stays with Elizabeth sitting with her and checking on Cam every hour.

Elizabeth checks on Jake and Aiden and tells them Cam is resting and not to bother him until the morning.

As Elizabeth and Jason get ready for bed, she asks, "Esme? Did she do this?"

Jason replies, "probably; I'm sorry, I was hoping to avoid something like this. Maybe I should come clean about being her father and would turn her attention away from you over to me."

Elizabeth says, "if your guards weren't there, Cam could be dead. I don't think it will matter at this point what Esme knows. Jason, I don't know how much more I can take. She could target us because of you anyway."

Jason replies, "this might not be the best time to bring this up, but I want you prepared if something like this happens again. I want to take you to a shooting range and get you a gun permit. It is just for protection, and we will keep it in a safe gun. Please think about it."

Cameron recovers, and Kellys is closed for a few days for repairs. Cam takes time off from classes, and Joss, Trina, and Spencer visit him, offering their support.

News of the fire hits the newspaper, and Jason fields phone calls for Elizabeth from Carly, Sonny, Laura, Kevin, Terry, and others. He tells them Elizabeth plans on returning to work on Sunday.

Jason meets with Diane to discuss a possible news release. Diane cautions Jason about talking to the press.

Jason says, "it may be the only way to distract Esme from Elizabeth and her family. I also want trust funds created for Jake, Danny, Scout, and Elizabeth's boys."

Elizabeth returns to work.

Elizabeth is welcomed back with open arms by her colleagues to her patients, except for Britt. During lunch, Elizabeth fills Terry in on the story currently revealed to friends. Elizabeth leaves out Jason's relationship with Esme.

Terry asks, "You don't remember giving birth to twins? How is that possible?"

Elizabeth replies, "not until Esme kidnapped me. You weren't around when Helena was in her prime. She cursed Lucky's parents on their wedding day in 1983. She kidnapped and brainwashed Lucky in 1999. She did the same thing to Jake years later. Helena cursed several people. She's threatened or killed members of her own family. Those are just a few of the terrible things Helena has done. She also implanted a chip in Drew's brain to make him do awful things."

Terry says, "she sounds like a piece of work."

Elizabeth takes a bite of her salad and replies, "yes, she was."

Terry looks over at the man sitting in the corner watching Elizabeth. She asks, "is he one of Jason's people? How do you feel about that?"

Elizabeth replies, "his name is Roman. It will take a while to get used to having guards around, but Cameron was saved because Jason had him watched. Until someone arrests Esme, they stay in place for all of my family."

Elizabeth is paged for emergency surgery. She takes a final bite of her salad and tells Terry she will catch up with her later.

Changing out of her scrubs after surgery, Elizabeth remembers how much she missed assisting in the OR. Before she leaves, she stops by Monica's office and suggests a time for a play date with Danny and Jake to visit Grandma. Monica says she would love that and will check with Sam. Elizabeth leaves and asks Curtis to take her home. She decides it's better to order delivery for her groceries than have Roman follow her around the store.

Elizabeth orders groceries online. Cooks dinner.

Jason returned home after a day at the park, and Aiden begged him to take him to the Art Museum. Cameron joins them for dinner. Elizabeth tells them about her day and how she enjoyed being back at work.

Elizabeth says, "I spoke with Monica today and suggested a visit from Jake, and if Sam agrees, she could bring Danny. Would you like to see grandma Monica Jake? Jason, would you be open to that?"

Jason replies, "I think that's a great idea. But in light of what happened to Cameron, I would feel more comfortable if Roman or another guard went with them."

Cameron and Jake take care of the dishes, and Aiden sits at the easel in the study, painting his latest project.

After Jason tells Roman to call it a night, he takes Elizabeth to bed. Jason discusses his day and his conversation with Diane.

Jason says, "I know it's not something I would typically do, but I spoke with Diane, and I think I should make a statement about me being Esme's father. It could draw attention away from you and Cameron."

Elizabeth replies, "Jason, we discussed this. It could backfire on us. I know you are used to being a target, but I don't want anything to happen to you. Are you sure you want to talk to the press?"

Jason answers, "do you have an alternative? It could draw out anyone who is working with Esme. With Helena dead, someone is still pulling her string and possibly feeding her misinformation."

Elizabeth replies, "if this is what you think you should do, I will stand by you; however before you say anything to the press, we need to tell the boys and prepare them. I also think we should tell Nikolas. The news would be better if Cameron if the one to tell Spencer."

Jason adds, "I suppose we should tell everyone close to us. Sonny will be stunned to learn his niece is terrorizing you and Cam."

Elizabeth replies, "It sounds like we will have a full day tomorrow. Let us start with Cam. This news will affect him more than others."

Jason says, "enough about Esme for tonight. Come here." Jason pulls her into a kiss, undresses her, takes off his t-shirt, and takes her under the covers.

The following morning Jake's and Aiden's guards take them to their school and patrol the classes. Jason and Elizabeth sit Cameron down to tell him the entire truth about Esme.

Jason says, "Cameron, we haven't been completely honest with you. We wanted to wait until we had all the facts. It is true Esme is not your sister, but we learned who her parents are. I am her father, and Courtney was her mother. Lorenzo Alcazar sold her to Helena Cassidine, and she raised Esme to believe Elizabeth was your mother. Spinelli is trying to track your real sister."

Cameron is dumbfounded. He says, "I want Esme to pay. She kidnapped you, mom. She tried to kill me. We need guards because of her."

Elizabeth explains, "Esme is a pawn. Helena and someone else conditioned her to hate us."

Jason adds, "I want to protect my daughter. Despite everything Esme has done to everyone, she is still my daughter. I wanted to do the same, as when I wanted to protect your mother when I thought Esme she was Elizabeth's daughter." Cameron replies, "when you put it that way, I understand. We felt that way when we knew what Helena did to Jake. Wow! Esme and Spencer are related! I need to be the one to tell him. He will have a hard time processing this news!"

Elizabeth replies, "I know Spencer will. I will have to tell Nikolas, Laura, and Kevin. Jason will need to tell Sonny and Carly."

Nikolas, Joss, and Spencer find out the truth about Esme. Cameron doesn't want to keep secrets. Spencer is struggling with the notion he slept with his half-sister! Joss is surprised but promises to be there for her friends.

Elizabeth informs Laura and Kevin, and they say they will be there for her and Jason. Elizabeth wants to schedule an appointment with Kevin.

Jason holds a meeting with Sonny and Carly. Sonny is surprised and angry when Jason tells him that Courtney was Esme's mother.

Sonny exclaims, "Helena did that to Courtney's daughter? Have you found out who else is involved in Esme's revenge?"

Jason replies, "After Helena died, there is still one person alive that would have the resources to carry this out. It is only speculation, but Robin told me that Jerry Jacks wanted her dead. Jerry is likely involved."

Esme confronts Jerry

Spinelli has news for Elizabeth: