A/N – Thanks for the comments! Hubby made it through the initial surgery, and they got out all cancer and saved 85% of his kidney. Unfortunately, the surgeon sutured a small piece of his bowel when closing and he was leaking fluid from his wound (it was horrible). I had to take him to the ER on Sunday the 10th and he stayed there until the next day until they finally figured it out and he had to get another surgery. He made it through and now he has an open wound with a vacuum on it to try to avoid infection, so recovery will be longer. I'm exhausted mentally and physically, but he's still with me and I got to take him home on Friday, the day before my birthday, so I felt that was the best gift ever. Thank you for your patience! Guest – Cameron can be a boy or a girl name, I don't always do what the show does, so it is what it is.
Chapter 14
Emily tossed the book she had been reading next to her on the bed when she heard the front door close.
"Johnny?'
He made his way to her room and pushed the door open. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, I guess."
"What's going on?"
"I keep getting these dropped calls." She showed him the phone.
"You think it's Nikolas?"
"Maybe… I'm not sure. It's not his normal number, but who knows. Maybe Helena is checking on me."
He doesn't like it. "I can have Stan do some tracing." He sat on the edge of the bed as he sent Stan a text.
"Thank you." None of the situation with Nikolas makes sense.
"You're welcome. You know you can talk to me if you need to."
"I know. It's just hard. I can't fight for him, and he is certainly not fighting for me. It's just not how I saw this going."
"Do you think that he's trying to protect you?" He had given it some thought and based on the information he obtained it just doesn't add up.
"Maybe…"
"And what if he is?"
She sighed heavily. "I don't know how to come back from this. If he's willing to lie, regardless, if it's for my safety, he still disrespected me to do it. He didn't trust me. I don't know what to do with that."
"I know this is hard for you because you love him."
She shrugged. "Love isn't enough. That family just seems to have this insanity that runs through it. If you want no part of it, Helena will make sure she beats you over the head with it. I know she's behind this, but that still doesn't excuse his behavior. He's playing games with her and that never ends well. It sucks."
He smirked because she is pouting. "Jason wants to put an extra guard on you."
"That's fine. I need to go to the hospital tomorrow for a checkup."
"Just make sure they are nearby."
"I will."
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Carly strode into Jason's office making him groan.
"That's your reaction?"
"What do you want from me?"
"I want my friend back."
"Since you can't keep your mouth shut around Liz, that is not going to happen."
Her purse hit his desk making a loud noise. "Wow," she said as her eyes teared. "After all we have been through, you are just going to take the person's side who wanted nothing to do with you and was a bitch every time she saw you."
"Elizabeth is carrying my child."
"Stop saying that!"
He cringed at the loudness of her voice. "Why are you here?"
"I miss you."
"Carly…"
"No, Jason. Are you truly just going to toss our friendship aside?"
He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Are you?"
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"I don't have time for this right now."
She wiped a tear away, even more, livid at Liz. "I used to be able to come to you and you'd at least hear me out."
"What do you want?"
She plopped onto a chair. "I've decided to fight for Sonny."
He groaned.
"What? You share a history with Elizabeth. She was hard for you to let go of."
"If he's what you want…" He is quite sure Sonny won't bite.
"Do you think I have a chance?"
"No."
She is taken aback by his honesty. "Is he still seeing Sam?"
"I've been busy, so we haven't spoken much."
"Michael is happy again and bottom line, I don't think that I'm willing to give up my family."
"Talk to him."
"I will. Would you even tell me if he was seeing Sam?"
"Carly, I don't want anything to do with this. You will do what you want regardless of my opinion anyway. I'm not even sure why it even matters to you."
"I guess I just want your support."
"Just—talk to him."
"Okay."
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Emily strode into the hospital with Micah and Jimmy on either side. As soon as she turned a corner, she gasped.
Nikolas looked up and slowly perused her, making her slightly tremble.
Her breath stilled as she waited to see if he would respond.
Indignation filled his eyes as they darkened and then he spun on his heel and went in the opposite direction.
"Emily," Stefan said. He can see the tears gather in her eyes. "I'm sorry."
Surprising him, she burst into teams and quickly closed the distance between them, and he held her.
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I understand."
Monica watched with a scowl on her face. She never was a Nikolas fan. The fact that he is so callous to someone he supposedly loves makes her very angry. She slipped away and found him in a conference room.
"Nikolas…"
His head jerked up. "Monica…"
She shut the door. "You are a pompous asshole."
He smirked, further infuriating her.
"Stay away from daughter or I will make you pay. Do you understand me?"
Helena grinned. "My, my… The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Don't worry, Nikolas wants nothing to do with that unhealthy slut who pits one man against another."
Monica slowly turned. "Say one more thing against my daughter, and I will smack the taste out of your mouth."
Helena laughed harder. "You are no match for me, and while I find your tirade amusing, don't push me, Monica. You won't like what happens next. Keep Emily away from us and there will be no problems. Nikolas deserves a partner of the same high standards. A Quartermaine Is not it."
"Why you…"
Nikolas moved forward and leaned closer to her ear. "Leave… You do not want this fight."
"Don't be such a jerk, and we won't need another conversation." She brushed past Helena and muttered, "Bitch…" which made Helena laugh again.
"People who are all words and have nothing to back it up can't wound me. Let her stew." She took a seat so they could discuss the hospital board meeting that had just occurred, her presence causing quite the stir.
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For a week, you couldn't wipe the smile off Liz's face. She did some more designs for Chloe and is happy that the princess ended up choosing her design. Things finally seemed like it was turning a corner, but all that changed on the way home from visiting her Gram.
Enzo gazed into his rearview mirror one more time and then quickly typed in a code on his phone before gripping the wheel. "Elizabeth, is your seatbelt secured?"
She looked up from her phone. "Yes." His cold demeanor almost made her shiver. "What's wrong?"
"We're being followed. I don't have a good feeling."
Liz's phone rang. "Jason?"
"Where are you?"
"We are on the way back from Gram's and Enzo just turned onto Elm."
"Elm?" That doesn't make sense. They'd be heading away from home.
"Put him on speaker."
Liz did so.
"I was trying to confirm. Yes, we're being followed, and I'm pretty sure they know that I'm onto them." There is a squealing sound.
"What was that?" Jason said as he ran toward his SUV.
"Someone else just joined the party."
Jason muttered under his breath as he took off.
Elizabeth is trying to take deep breaths to keep her pressure down.
"Turning onto Central," Enzo said. "Fuck…"
A truck slammed into his car door, knocking him unconscious as Liz's scream fills the air. The car jerked around violently, veering into a tree which caused Liz to pass out.
"Elizabeth!" Jason yelled.
Johnny expertly took a corner, taking a position behind Jason. As soon as he got the code, he had Stan track Enzo's car. When Jason squealed to a stop, Johnny jerked his wheel to the left and pulled alongside him. Enzo's car is on fire, so they grabbed fire extinguishers and ran toward it. When they were almost upon it, an explosion pierced the air and flames burst forth, making the men hit the ground hard.
"Shit!" Jason moaned as his body reeled.
Sirens fill the air as several police cars surrounded them and a fire truck is heard in the distance.
"I should have known you'd be involved."
Jason stared at the man in front of him and wondered if he had hit his head and is seeing a ghost.
Taggert chuckled. "That's right, I'm back. I see Anger Boy is still causing trouble." When Mac offered him a position, he couldn't pass it up. He has unfinished business.
Jason said nothing.
"Some things don't change." He turned to another officer. "Have an EMT check him out to make sure we can take him in." This time around, he's not going to let anyone get the better of him.
Jason held Johnny's gaze. This is the last thing that they need.
The fireman battled the blaze and quickly knocked it down.
The paramedics tended to Jason and Johnny, and then let Taggert know that the men are fine.
"Well, isn't it nice you'll live another day. Who was in the car?"
The only response he got was Jason's icy glare.
Taggert shook his head as Mac approached them.
"What happened here?"
"They won't say anything."
Mac rolled his eyes. "They found one person who was driving. He's dead. I'm assuming it was your guard?"
Jason stared at him blankly but inside he is seething. They had taken Liz and he's quite sure that Ric and Faith are to blame.
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Faith paced back and forth inside the room where Elizabeth is being checked out.
"Her vitals are strong, and the baby is still alive," a doctor said.
"Good." She has plans for Elizabeth and that baby. They are Jason's Achilles heel. At the same time, Ric will be off his game which will play to her advantage too. She had already decided that Ric is a liability. Jason won't believe that Ric had nothing to do with this, so she can kill two birds with one stone. When Jason takes out Ric, everyone will see him for the killer they know he is, and then, she'll use Sam against Sonny and have it all.
Studying the younger woman, she doesn't get how some of the most powerful men in town are so besotted. Her skin is ridiculously pale, and she weighs next to nothing. The thought that maybe she's a freak in bed made her laugh. "No way," she muttered. It won't matter anyway. Elizabeth will blame Ric if she loses the baby and when Jason kills Ric, there will be plenty of evidence to nail him to the cross.
Now, she just needs to bide her time while everything falls into place.
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Sonny rubbed his face. "Carly, I just—I'm not ready to go there again."
"I thought you weren't seeing Sam anymore now that the baby isn't yours."
"I'm not. I did love her and need some time. We have been so toxic. I'm not sure what I want anymore."
"That is your ego talking. We have two sons and I think we should consider that. We could be good again. I know I hurt you, but you hurt me too."
He sighed heavily, wondering if they had no kids what she would have used as an excuse to manipulate him.
She slowly stood. "Will you think about it?"
He hesitantly nodded.
"That's all I ask. We'll focus on the kids for the next few months and then see where that leads. I'm going to the park with the boys. You're more than welcome to join us."
He does miss them. "Okay."
She smiled, thinking that she had swayed him. "Good."
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Jason stared at the table waiting for Diane to arrive. Every minute he is stuck at the precinct could end up risking Elizabeth's life.
Taggert just stared at him, trying to make him feel uncomfortable. "I heard that you defiled Elizabeth Webber and knocked her up. Was she in the car? Is that why you risked your life to approach a burning car?"
Jason didn't even flinch.
"I bet she was. It must suck to know that you are responsible for ending her life. You taint everything you touch."
Diane breezed into the room. "I hope you aren't questioning my client without representation."
Taggert smirked. "We were just chatting."
"Jason is allergic to chatting."
Jason fought a smile.
"Now, I would like to speak to him alone."
Taggert sighed as he stood. "Elizabeth wasn't in that car, and I doubt you'd risk your life as you did for that guard. The longer you don't talk, the more danger she is in."
The door shut behind him and Jason muttered several curse words that almost made Diane blush.
"What happened?"
"I think Ric and Faith kidnapped her."
Diane's brow rose. "Walk me through it."
"I got an emergency code from Enzo. I called Liz and she had me on speaker." He grimaced. "I heard the crash. I was a few blocks away by then and rushed there. Johnny and I tried to get to her, and the car blew."
She studied him. "You knew she wasn't in there, didn't you?"
"I prayed she wasn't." He is glad that Taggert confirmed what he had already hoped. Elizabeth dead would be of no value to Ric or Faith at this point.
"First, you're going to tell him that Enzo said he was in trouble and by the time you got there, it was too late. You don't know who was chasing him."
"What if he asks where Elizabeth is?"
"You can tell him that she is out of town. He can't force you to contact her because this has nothing to do with her."
"Okay."
"Second, you cannot go anywhere near Ric or Faith."
He groaned.
"Seriously, Jason. If anything happens to either one of them, it could mean your freedom. Don't be stupid. They are counting on you blowing up. Don't give them the satisfaction. Elizabeth needs you to find her."
He sighed heavily. "I know."
"Then concentrate on that and avoid any public confrontations because I can guarantee that it will bite you in the ass later. No matter what either of them says, ignore them."
"Fine…" There will be plenty of time later to make them bleed.
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Elizabeth's eyes blinked open followed by a blinding pain in her side and head. She sucked in a breath as she silently willed it away. Realization hit, and she starts to remember the crash as she wildly looks around. The drafty, basement-like, room is just a cement hell. There are no windows, but a single light with a string hanging down, in the middle of the room, sheds enough light for her to know that she is in trouble. A shiver runs through her body as the coldness of the room seeps into her skin and a tear trails down her face. A pain shoots through her stomach again, making her cry out as Faith watches from another room.
"What's wrong with her?"
"She cold and probably needs water," the doctor said wishing he hadn't gotten himself involved in this situation due to his gambling.
"Give her water—no blanket yet. I want her to beg for it."
He nodded and then grabbed a water bottle before thankfully leaving the room. Faith Roscoe is like an angel of death, and he does not doubt that whoever loves the pregnant woman in the other room will probably make them all pay.
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Taggert rolled his eyes. Jason's blank expression just makes him want to smack it off. He had gotten nowhere, but he has an ace up his sleeve. He texted the desk cop and a few seconds later, the door flew open.
"Where is my granddaughter?" Audrey said as she moved forward.
Jason momentarily dropped his guard before resuming his normal shield.
"Answer me!"
Diane sighed. "Mrs. Hardy, if you would please—"
"Don't try to put me off. She isn't answering her phone and she was on the way home from my house! Enzo was her guard, and the news reporter said that he is dead. So, I'll ask you again. Do you know where Elizabeth is?"
Diane eyed Taggert. "Will you please step outside?"
"I don't think I will."
"I have the right to speak to Jason without you being here. He has answered your questions and you have no legal precedence to hold him."
"He is a person of interest in a missing person's case."
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but you usually wait twenty-four hours before letting someone file. You can't possibly think that Jason would make his pregnant girlfriend disappear."
"I guess we'll ask her when we find her."
Audrey is quiet as she observes the dynamics in the room and realizes that she may be making a mistake. The phone call from the police department had caught her off-guard and she had reacted emotionally, especially due to Liz's pregnancy.
"Mrs. Hardy, do you want to report Elizabeth as missing?"
Jason fixed her with his stare.
"I want to speak with Mr. Morgan first."
"Mrs.—"
"Mr. Taggert, I believe I am allowed to speak with him since no charges have been made."
Diane tries not to smile due to the glare coming from Audrey.
"Fine…"
He left and then Jason stood and offered Audrey his chair.
"Thank you."
She sat and took a moment to gaze at them. "Where is she?"
"I don't know."
"Did one of your enemies take her?"
"I think so."
Audrey's eyes narrowed.
"If I tell you, please don't say anything to Taggert. We cannot play our hand."
She shifted uncomfortably. "Go on…"
"I think it was Ric and Faith."
Audrey is livid. "What are you doing to locate her."
"Everything that I can. I won't stop. I just need to get out of here."
Audrey stood. "I'll give you a day to come up with some leads and then I'll decide if I formally report it."
"Thank you."
"I'm doing it for her because she has been through enough. This time, you have the same enemy, so that is the only reason I'm trying to give you the benefit of the doubt. It will kill her if she loses this child. God knows, she deserves some happiness. Find her, Jason, because I don't think you'll be able to live with yourself if you don't."
