A/N - Thanks for reading. Sam will serve a great purpose, so those who don't care about her, I think you'll be happy with the story by the end.
Chapter 35
Nik closed his eyes. "I don't know, but she just knows it was Zander."
Emily frowned. "Why does she care?"
"Because he's a Cassadine."
"What the fuck?" Johnny muttered. "How?"
"Alexis Davis."
"Holy shit," Francis said.
"Does Alexis know?" Emily asked.
"No. She thought the child died. The truth is that Helena took him and gave him to a family that she closely watched. The more Alexis angered her, the more she wanted to punish her."
"So, she wants to take Zander's child?"
"Yes. She wants me to claim the child and marry Liz."
Emily is reeling. "She has always wanted to punish Elizabeth."
"I know."
"But she hasn't done anything to Liz," Johnny said.
"Ric Lansing is under Helena's control."
"What the hell! How can that be?"
"He was gone for a while. It's because Helena took him and brainwashed him under the guise that he would win back Elizabeth. She knew that Liz probably wouldn't take him back and was shocked when she did. That changed the plan a bit."
"What was the new plan?"
"She's going to use Ric to distract Jason while we snatch Elizabeth. No one would have guessed. She knows that Liz got married, so naturally, Jason will have to die now." That had elicited an epic rant. Helena was so upset that she went on a rampage taking down her enemies for two days straight.
"And you like that part, don't you?"
He shrugged. "He's a murderer."
She smacked him so hard, that his head snapped back and then jumped to her feet grasping her hand.
Johnny was at her side before she could call out. "You okay?"
"It hurt, but it felt good."
Nikolas licked at the blood on his lip. "Why did you hit me?"
"Because I'm sick of you trashing my brother when you stand at that homicidal bitch's side. How dare you!"
"Emily…"
"Shut up! I don't care how you do it, but you will protect Elizabeth at all costs. She cannot lose that baby or my brother. It would kill her."
"I would never hurt her. I was hoping to get rid of my grandmother by then."
"You may not have the chance. If you think Jason is just going to sit back and do nothing, you are sadly mistaken."
"I'm willing to work with him."
"Why would we trust you?" Johnny asked.
"All I've wanted is to get from under her control. I want a life—with you."
Emily felt Johnny's grip slip on her arm. "I think we should get something straight. I'm not going back to you. I am falling in love with Johnny. We're over, but dammit, you owe me. If you double-cross us, I will have Jason kill you. I'd do it with myself if he'd let me, but I know he won't."
Nikolas's eyes began to tear. "I'm sorry. I didn't want to hurt you. Please don't hate me."
"If you help us, then I won't. We won't be friends though. That won't work, but I'll make Jason back off."
Nikolas smirked, not believing that she truly means that. "Seal it with a kiss?"
"Don't make me put a bullet in your head right now, Prince of Darkness."
Nikolas chuckled. "Am I going to remember all of this?" He feels so loopy.
"Yes," Johnny said, "but you'll probably wake up with a headache and body aches."
"Why?"
Johnny punched him and laid him out and then tentatively focused on his girl.
A slow smirk eased onto her face. "That was hot."
He grinned as Francis rolled his eyes.
"I think I'm going to be sick," Cody said before laughing.
Emily pulled Johnny into a kiss.
"Now, I'm truly going to gag," Francis added as he and Cody hoisted Nikolas up. "I may never recover."
"Look away," Johnny mumbled before kissing her again.
"Don't worry about us, even though he weighs a ton, we'll handle it." He's truly glad Johnny finally found someone to share his life with. He never expected that it would be Jason's sister, but he's learned that nothing happens as expected in Port Charles.
Johnny grinned against her lips. "I have to go."
"Okay."
"Kyle and Paulie will take you home."
"Be careful."
"I will."
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
The next day, Ric tried not to fidget as Mac flipped through some paperwork.
Mac sighed as his attention settled on Ric who looks tired and agitated. "I think you know why you are here."
"Because my private life was exposed which was probably revenge by Jason."
"You are obsessed with your brother and Jason. That is the main reason you are sitting across from me."
"I am not the criminal here. They are."
Mac shook his head. "You're suspended."
"What?"
"You're lucky you weren't fired. Trust me, you came very close."
"Mac…"
"That tape is bringing shame onto this department. The only reason you're not fired right now is that we're trying to go by the book." That wasn't the complete truth. Taggert had convinced him that he thinks Ric is framing Jason and he needs more time to make a case. "You can get your things, but nothing else—no flash drives or files. Officer Perez will escort you to your office and then out of the building."
"Wow."
"And the charges against Jason Morgan should be dropped by tomorrow."
Ric abruptly stood, sending his chair flying back. "What the hell? You can't do that!"
"Considering that someone paid off the witness, I certainly can. We don't know who, but we should know soon."
Ric almost turned green which convinced Mac of his guilt.
"There are too many holes, and he has a few airtight alibis."
"Like who?"
"You probably already know that he wasn't even in Port Charles when it happened. That's all you need to know since you're no longer on the case. We'll be in touch."
The door opened and Ric strode past the officer. The only plus in this is that he can spend every waking moment bringing Jason down.
He quickly put his pictures and a few other things in a box provided and then was followed through the lobby which was humiliating. A few officers had laughed because of the video, and several looked at him like they were disgusted. Yup, Jason is going to pay dearly for this.
IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi
The fact that Jason is almost coming out of his skin makes Elizabeth chuckle.
"They won't hurt you, Jason."
"That's what you think. This is worse than torture." Why did he have to see them two days in a row? The funeral is tomorrow, so that will probably make it three. He almost gagged.
He shifted uncomfortably in the black slacks he had put on. Liz picked out a grey button-up to go with it.
The door flew open, and a smiling Alice came into view.
"Come in."
They moved past her.
"Elizabeth, you look beautiful."
She smiled. "Thank you, Alice."
"And Jason, you look handsome."
"Thanks, I think."
"Everyone is in the living room."
Liz swore she heard a whimper. Grabbing his hand, she led him to the arguing family.
"Oh, Tracy, put a sock in it."
"Well, you can just bite me," Monica yelled.
Alice cleared her throat. "Jason and Elizabeth have arrived."
Tracy rolled her eyes. "Should I have put on a bulletproof shirt?"
"No, I'd shoot you between the eyes," Jason quipped.
Elizabeth bit her lip and then eyed her grandmother who is across the room giggling.
"There will be no guns at the table," Lila said moving toward them. "Hello,"
Jason leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. "I missed you already."
She grinned so wide. "I always miss you more." Oh, what she'd do to get him back under this roof, but she understands that he's a grown man and needs his own space.
He handed her a small bag and she chuckled when she opened it.
"Peppermints."
"I hope you like them."
"I'm sure that I will."
Liz handed her a bag. "One more thing…" She had forgotten it before.
"Oh, Elizabeth, you didn't have to." She opened the bag to find a beautiful pink scarf which she hemmed and hawed over.
"I'm glad you like it."
Lila opened her arms, and they shared a warm hug. "May I?"
"Yes."
Lila touched her belly. "Pregnancy becomes you."
"I'm looking forward to meeting her."
Jason is pleased that his grandmother is so happy.
A gasp fills the room, and everyone's attention went to the door.
"Hello, everyone."
No one says a word.
Chloe grins. "Boy, if Tracy is speechless, it's a great day."
Alan chuckled and then got up and hugged her. "You are a sight for sore eyes."
She winked. "I missed you too."
Alan's gaze connects with Stefan. "You're a surprise."
"May I enter?"
"It's too late for that," Tracy said. Since the vampire had Chloe's permission, the man will probably take the first opportunity to suck them all dry.
Lila held out her hand. "I missed you, dear."
Chloe hugs and kisses her. "I missed you so much more." Lila is getting up there in age, so she must visit more often. She can't imagine how the family will survive without her.
"What am I—chopped liver?" Edward said.
Jason grimaced as the two embraced. He never could stand liver.
"Hello, Stefan," Elizabeth said.
He smiled warmly. "Hello. You look stunning."
Liz slightly blushed, making Jason's eyes narrow.
"Jason…"
Jason reluctantly shook his hand.
"Alright," Johnny said as he and Emily entered the room. "Let's get this show started."
Emily quickly greeted her family and then sat.
Johnny sighed. "I asked all of you to be here because we kidnapped Nikolas and learned some shocking information."
There are a few whispers.
"Is he alive?" Stefan asked, bitter that it had to come to that because of his mother.
"Yes. It was necessary to find out what Helena is up."
"And he willingly answered the questions?" Tracy asked. She's not up on all the players, but she understands that the situation must be dangerous if Helena is involved.
"Yes. What I'm about to say cannot leave this room or lives can be lost. I had a guard sweep the house about an hour ago to make sure it wasn't bugged."
"Well, was it?" Edward said gruffly. While he isn't scared of Helena, he's not stupid. The woman is a blight on the town.
"I'm afraid so."
Emily is stunned at first and then the anger set in. "I'm going to kill him."
"We gave him truth serum."
"You have access to something stronger than normal? I can't imagine that he was willing to spill."
Johnny smiled. "It was a concoction, but he loves your daughter even if he is an ass." He refocused. "Anyway, he has been pretending for months to push Emily away to protect her because Helena wants her dead."
"Why hasn't she done it?" Tracy asked. "It doesn't make sense. If Emily dies, wouldn't that mean she could trust him?" She hates how this woman is toying with her family.
"Not really because she's testing him," Emily said. While she's used to knowing that her days are numbered, this—knowing that Helena could get to her whenever she wants and hurt her family is worse than cancer.
"Do you still want to be with him, Emily?" Monica asked, wondering if his devotion to her changes anything.
"No." She reached over and gripped Johnny's hand. "I'm taken."
Edward and Alan aren't sure they are okay with that, and their expressions gave them away making Jason smile. Watching Johnny taken down by his family would be amazing.
"What are you grinning at? It's freaking me out," Tracy said.
"They don't like Johnny. Maybe we have something in common after all," Jason said.
"Oh, shut it. You love me and we both know it," Johnny said. "We'll talk about our bromance later."
Jason almost gagged.
"It turns out, they want Nikolas to marry someone else and are using Ric to get what they want."
The realization hits Jason and Elizabeth at the same time. A gasp left Liz's lips.
"Why?" Jason asked.
"I'm not following," Tracy said.
"Keep up," Monica quipped, "she wants Nikolas to marry Elizabeth."
Audrey growled. "Over my dead body."
"This makes no sense," Edward said.
Johnny held up his hand to quiet them. "She wants the baby."
Liz touched her stomach as her sense of dread rose. "Why? She hates me. Is she trying to pay me back?"
"Maybe, but here's the shocker, Zander was a Cassadine."
Johnny eyed the room. Not everyone knows that Jason isn't the father. It will be a shock.
Audrey swallowed hard. She had never liked Zander because she thought he had taken advantage of her granddaughter. She is aware of how much Jason disliked him too which made his agreement to be the father even more interesting.
The Q's were too stunned to speak knowing Emily's history with the man, but they are thankful that at least Ric isn't the father.
The din in the room rose as everyone started to speak at once until Alice whistled. "Let him explain." This is better than her soap operas.
"Alexis Davis is his mother."
You could hear a pin drop.
"Helena wants to help raise the child and for Nikolas to claim him. I'm sure at one point she'll let Alexis know."
"Unbelievable," Stefan said. Now, even though it's outlandish, it makes sense.
"I can't stress enough that the baby's true paternity cannot leave this room." Unfortunately, he couldn't tell the story without revealing it. Jason looks like he wants to shoot him.
"And how did Ric fit into this," a shaky Liz replied.
"She didn't think you'd go back to him, so when you did, she decided to use him as a distraction. He's a loose end and possibly a way to take Jason out." He didn't even need to say what they all knew. If Jason doesn't kill the asshole first, Helena will finish it to cover her ass. "She is using mind control on him. I honestly don't think she needed it because he's a prick at his core." Johnny's gaze rested on Jason. "She knows you got married which means you are a target. She needs to get rid of you to make all of this happen."
Jason clenched his jaw. A war with Helena is not something he wants, but he certainly won't let her end his life or anyone else that he cares about.
The look on his face spoke volumes. Even Tracy gulped.
"What can we do?" Alan asked. Emily dying is not an option, nor is losing his son. He would give his life to save them. There has got to be a way.
"Everyone is on lockdown. Security needs to be tightened. Work from home for now. She isn't aware that we know which gives us an advantage."
"What about Nikolas?" Stefan asked. If possible, he'd like his nephew to be spared.
"He won't say anything because he wants Emily," Johnny said. "At least, that is what we hope."
"Can we send her away?" Edward asked.
Jason shook his head. "I think it's too late. Helena is probably tracking her. Besides, we have more men here, unless I can arrange something with our contact in Palermo." Maximus would help.
"We'll discuss it tonight," Alan said. Emily could continue her treatment there, so it will work.
Johnny doesn't even want to think about her leaving, but it is a viable option.
