Anthony stood alone by the bar nursing his glass of scotch and his rage. His eyes came to rest on Joseph and Jason Morgan who were locked in a conversation with Dr. Harner and several other members of the hospital board. Anthony's hatred of the father/son pair knew no bounds. It had been a slow and steady growth since before Anthony and Jason were in their teens. Their fathers were forever comparing one to the other, yet it was always Jason who came out the winner. "Not this time!" Anthony hissed as he pushed his glass to the edge of the bar.

Elizabeth moved Rocco's wheelchair toward Jason and his father. "Excuse me," she said as she simply placed her hand on Jason's shoulder.

"Good evening Mrs. Malucci," Dr. Harner said. "Nice to see you, Rocco," he added as he extended his hand to the elder Malucci. "I have been remiss in properly thanking you for all that Malucci Manufacturing has done to make this event a great success."

"Thanks isn't necessary," Rocco stated. "It's been my pleasure."

"It's about time we get the auction started," Elizabeth said. "Mr. Morgan, you wouldn't happen to know where Emily is?" Elizabeth addressed Jason's father. "I don't want to start the festivities without her."

"She and Zander came on their own. I am sure she's here somewhere," Joseph offered.

"I could help you look for her," Jason suggested with a twinkle in his eye.

"Thank you." Elizabeth smiled brightly.

"Joseph," Rocco began, "While these young people are on their search would you mind helping me to the head table?"

Joseph eyed Jason and Elizabeth sternly. The last thing he wanted was those two to be anywhere near one another. Their relationship had caused enough damage and until he was able to be sure that Anthony was no longer an issue the further away they stayed from each other the better. "Jason and I can look for Emily," Joseph offered his own suggestion. "This is Elizabeth's night, the Malucci family's night. All of you should be at the head table by now enjoying your accomplishments. Jason and I will escort you both to your rightful places and then be off to find Emily so she can join you."

"Mr. Morgan, that won't be necessary," Elizabeth jumped in. "This is a joint effort on the part of both our families. Not to mention that I am sure Emily is in the kitchen. Seems as though the caterer needs her advice on nearly everything. I am sure that where she has to be. We will only be a minute." Elizabeth took Jason by the hand and led him away before Joseph Morgan was able to object.

Elizabeth and Jason crossed the room in pursuit of Emily. Elizabeth couldn't contain the thrill that engulfed her. It was the first time that she had publicly been able to be close to Jason without having the concern of how it looked to the outside world hanging over her head. For Elizabeth it was heaven with just a dash of naughty thrown in. "This way," she instructed Jason to follow her.

"Where are we going? I thought you said Emily was in the kitchen," he asked as she led him down a deserted corridor. "Emily wouldn't... ..." Elizabeth's urgent kiss silenced his words.

Easily Jason allowed himself to get caught up in the moment. Elizabeth's tongue probed his mouth as Jason drew her body hard against his own. It took very little to arouse him. Just the mere thought of her naked body beyond the silky fabric of her evening gown was all Jason needed. He moaned softly as she pressed the palm of her hand against his bulging manhood. "Elizabeth," he whispered hoarsely almost unable to control his desire.

"I have been dying to do this all night," she returned as her hot breath tickled his neck.

"We are supposed to be looking for Emily... ... remember," Jason expelled a ragged breath.

"Emily...ah Emily," she grinned. Elizabeth pulled back as she adjusted Jason's black bow tie. He returned her grin with his own mischievous one.

"How about we find my sister?" he asked kissing the tip of Elizabeth's nose. "But we will most definitely be picking this up at a later date."

"We most certainly will," she agreed as she leaned in for one last kiss.

Jeff stepped out of the darkness and watched Elizabeth and Jason as they headed back toward the hustle and bustle of the goings on in the main room. Jeff again saw happiness in his daughter that hadn't been there in years. He had been correct in his assumptions that Jason Morgan and his daughter had been having an affair – right under Anthony's nose to boot. It was that that troubled Jeff the most. If Anthony had intended on taking care of Jason Morgan did that also mean that he would be taking care of Elizabeth as well? That thought physically freighted Jeff Webber. He set off after her. The time had come for Elizabeth to get a clear dose of reality.

Jason and Elizabeth absently made their way around the room not especially looking for Emily. Both were enjoying the charade that let them be together.

"Elizabeth," Jeff reached for her arm just as she was about to follow Jason into the kitchen.

"Yes?" she said sweetly until the sight of her father met her eyes. "What?"

"I need to discuss something with you in private." Jeff stared directly at Jason.

"I'll go in and see if Emily has hidden herself away in here," Jason pointed toward the large kitchen. He would have given anything to stand there and protect Elizabeth from a man Jason saw as just as much of a monster as Anthony, but he knew he couldn't. Gently he squeezed Elizabeth's hand before he disappeared behind the swinging door.

"What do you want?" Elizabeth spat.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" Jeff returned.

"I was trying to find Emily Morgan so that we can continue on with the evening's events."

"Wrong answer my dear," Jeff replied.

"What? What are you talking about?"

"I am talking about your little escapade with Mr. Morgan," Jeff stated. "I saw that two of you in the hallway when you thought no one was looking!"

Elizabeth felt her mouth go dry and her mind race as she looked for an explanation for her father's accusation. "I don't know what you are talking about." Elizabeth shifted uneasy before him.

"You need to steer clear of Jason Morgan. Do you hear me?"

"What do you care what I do?" Elizabeth asked.

"I'm trying to protect you. Do you have any idea what Anthony would have done if he had been the one to witness your little indiscretion?"

"You don't give a damn about what Anthony would do!" Elizabeth shot down her father's mock concern. "All that matters to you is your illustrious political career and Anthony keeping your dirty little secret!" Her voice rose in anger.

"Elizabeth?" Jason asked as he and Emily emerged from behind the kitchen door.

"Ah, I see you were able to locate your sister," Jeff said averting his attention toward those who had interrupted his conversation.

"Yes, yes I did. Elizabeth?" Jason questioned again. She was able to read the concern in his eyes as he spoke. "Is everything all right?" He raised his brow.

"Yes," she strained to reign in the mixture of anger and fear that coursed through her veins.

"You look a little pale," Emily added. "Are you feeling okay?"

Jason had noticed that also. It worried him. He had his suspicions that this evening would be too much for her, yet there was something about the way Elizabeth stood looking at her father that told Jason this had nothing to do with her concussion.

"I'm fine. Nothing to worry about. My father just wanted to be sure that we were on schedule. I assured him that we were."

"Well then," Jeff began, "shall we?" He offered his arm to Elizabeth who immediately declined. "Ms. Morgan, would you do me the honor?"

"Of course," Emily linked her arm in Jeff's as he escorted her to the head table.

"Elizabeth, wait," Jason stopped her as she started to follow them.

"Huh?"

"Are you sure that you are all right?"

"Yes, yes I am fine. We should go." Elizabeth couldn't bring herself to tell Jason that her father had seen them before. She knew what his reaction would be. She wasn't about to take the chance that he would call off their reunion for later that evening.

Jason took the seat next to his father, yet never took his eyes off of Elizabeth as she sat obediently alongside her father and husband.

"Good evening," Dr. Harner took his place behind the podium on the stage. "Please let me express my gratitude for all those in attendance here tonight. Your presence assures me that Chicago Memorial is well on its way to a glorious new Coronary Care Unit. Before we begin tonight's program I wish to introduce the two ladies who were instrumental in putting this fabulous event together. Mrs. Elizabeth Malucci and Ms. Emily Morgan. Please join me ladies." Emily and Elizabeth rose from their seats and made their way to the stage. "A warm round of applause please," Dr. Harner instructed the group.

"Thank you," Elizabeth answered timidly. "It has been our pleasure working for a worthwhile cause such as this one. The man who deserves the true applause is," Anthony and Jeff both began to stand, "Rocco Malucci." Once more the room filled with applause as Rocco raised his hand in appreciation. "Rocco is a generous man," Elizabeth continued. "He saw the opportunity to do a greater good in expanding the Coronary Care Unit as it now stands. He organized the auction and gathered many of the wonderful packages you are about to begin bidding on... ..."

Anthony sat fuming while his wife continued lavishing praise on his father. If looks could have killed Elizabeth would have been dead where she stood. Why Anthony was shocked that she had chosen to acknowledge his father he didn't know. The bond between them was as plain as day, but that still didn't make it any easier to swallow.

"Thank you," Rocco said as he struggled to stand. "I am not the only person who deserves such wonderful praise. Joseph Morgan and his family's business have done many things for this event as well. Morgan Enterprises will be donating matching funds from all the proceeds of our auction this evening. Joseph's lovely daughter Emily has worked tirelessly alongside my daughter in law Elizabeth in arranging this extraordinary event. They are the ones who truly were the driving force in making this affair as spectacular as it is. Joseph and Jason, please join them on stage," Rocco directed.

"This by far isn't necessary," Joseph said to the crowded room. "Morgan Enterprises has a vested interest in this city and will continue to be on the look out for projects and charities we feel will serve the community to the fullest. Thank you."

Anthony felt his nails as they dug into his palm. There was his wife watching Jason Morgan with loving eyes for all the room to witness. He clenched his jaw as his rage began to boil over. Jason Morgan by all rights should have been dead. He wasn't supposed to be smiling like some Cheshire cat. "Reggie you're a dead man!" Anthony whispered violently under his breath.

Rocco glanced around the room as he watched auction paddle after auction paddle being raised in the air. Each item went for more money than the previous ones. He had such a wonderful feeling knowing that even though there wasn't anything that could be done for his own failing heart, many others would profit from the Coronary Care Unit expansion being financed there that evening. The muffled ringing from inside his suit coat drew Rocco's attention away from his surroundings. "Malucci here," he said as he flipped his cell phone open.

"Mr. Malucci," Reggie cleared his throat. "You don't know me sir, but I have some information and I need your help."

"My help? Who is this?" Rocco questioned.

"I'd rather discuss this in person," Reggie replied.

"I am in the middle of a rather important event at the moment. I can't just drop everything to go chasing after some unknown voice on the other end of the phone."

"Mr. Malucci," Reggie swallowed hard before speaking. "It's a matter of life and death."

"Excuse me?"

"Please, Mr. Malucci, I need to speak with you right away!!" Rocco remained silent for a moment. There was something about the tone in this man's voice that sent a cold chill down his spine and forced Rocco to pay attention. "Mr. Malucci? Are you still there sir?"

"Yes, yes, I'm still here."

"Will you meet me then sir?"

"Not without first knowing what this is all about," Rocco pressed. No matter what his gut was telling him he wasn't about to walk into this situation sight unseen.

Reggie hadn't wanted to say anything over the phone. He wanted a face to face meeting with Rocco Malucci. He wanted some guarantee for his own survival before he opened up with all that he knew, yet it appeared that Rocco Malucci wasn't accepting of that proposition. "It's about your son," Reggie answered hesitantly.

"My son? What about my son?" Rocco turned his head and focused his gaze on Anthony.

"It's about his little side projects," Reggie remarked pointedly.

"What about them?" Rocco inquired. The man on the other end of the phone had his full attention now.

"Please, I really need to discuss this with you in person," Reggie stressed.

"Fine. Meet me at my home in a half-hour. Tell the guard at the gate you are Roberto from the pharmacy and you have a delivery for me. He will bring you directly in to see me."

"Thank you Mr. Malucci."

"Don't thank me yet," Rocco said as he put an end to their talk.

Rocco waved his hand to attract the attention of his servant. "Yes sir?"

"I'm not feeling well. I think it's time I was heading home," Rocco explained.

"I'll bring the car around."

"Rocco? What's the matter? Did I hear you say you weren't feeling well?" Elizabeth asked hearing only the tail end of the conversation.

"I'm a bit tired. Must be too much activity. It's worn this old man out," Rocco smiled. He hated lying to her.

"Why don't I go home with you. You shouldn't really be alone if you aren't feeling well."

"Nonsense," Rocco scoffed. "there is absolutely no reason for you to home come with me. I will be just heading straight to bed."

"I would still feel better if I went with you," Elizabeth stressed. She knew that she was jeopardizing her evening with Jason but she didn't like the thoughts of Rocco being home alone.

"I need you to stay here." Rocco patted her hand softly. "You have done a wonderful job with this event. I need you to be here to represent our interests. I promise you I will be fine. Please express my apologies to Dr. Harner and the others."

"Rocco... ..." Elizabeth protested again.

"Enough child." Rocco stopped her. "Enjoy the rest of your evening. You deserve it."

Elizabeth looked on as her father in law was wheeled away from her. There was a strange lump in her throat she couldn't quite explain.