A/N – Thanks for the comments. Glad you're enjoying this.

Sam will be in the story here and there for resolution. There is a method to my madness, and you'll love it in the end.

Chapter 29

Jake got off the elevator and went down a hallway and sat on a chair putting his head in his hands.

A young lady is standing near a reception area and studied him for a few minutes, finally deciding to approach.

She sat next to him. "If you need to talk, I'm right here." He seems so troubled, but nothing prepared her for his beautiful blue eyes filled with vulnerability.

"I—I'm Sophie."

"Jake." She's beautiful. Her brown straight hair is pulled into a ponytail and her eyes are hazel with flecks of blue and green. "I need to get out of here, but my guards will follow."

She held out her hand. "Trust me?"

After staring at it for a few seconds, he grasped it and she pulled him up and they went to the elevator. At six-foot-tall, he towered over her five-foot-three curvy frame. They went to the roof and she pulled him towards the edge to see the view.

"I come up here to think."

"It's nice."

They didn't talk for a few minutes and then Jake cleared his throat. "My father was shot, and I had just got him back."

Alarm filled her eyes. "Is he okay?"

"He's in surgery. It's my fault. He was protecting me."

"I doubt he'd want you to blame him."

"I work for Maximus Giambetti."

"I'm almost finished nursing school."

He frowned. "Did you hear me?"

"Yes. I see Milo at the gym. He's nice and dated my friend for a while. She's still alive, so the family can't be that bad. I know what they do, Jake." The rumors had been flying ever since he entered the waiting room. All the nurses think he's gorgeous.

He blew out a harsh breath. "I had lost my dad and just wanted to be like him to protect my mom and brothers. He was a part of another organization."

"And now?"

"I don't know." His mind if all over the place. He had liked the adrenaline rush until his dad got shot.

"Why don't you wait until everything settles before you make any major life decisions?"

"I—do you think maybe we can get together next week?" There's just something about her that intrigues him.

She nodded. "I would like that. How old are you?"

"I'm eighteen."

"I'm twenty." There is just something about him that is so deep and angsty. He's not like the other guys her age. While she's only two years older than him, he seems more mature like he had already been through a lot. "People usually don't notice me."

His brow raises. "Are they crazy?"

She chuckled. "No, I just usually blend in."

He reached up and moved his fingertips over her cheek. "I think I'd notice you in the dark."

She grinned. "That was very smooth."

He smiled and she decides it's her new favorite thing.

Cam cleared his throat. "Jake…"

Jake dropped his hand. "Is he okay?"

"There has been no word yet, but mom is worried about you."

"I'm sorry. I should have thought—"

"Jake, it's okay."

Jake nodded. "Sophie, this is my brother, Cam."

Cameron moved forward and shook her hand. She's pretty, not obnoxiously so like the other girls that tended to throw themselves at his brother. "It's nice to meet you."

"You too."

Cam focused on Jake. "Bring her along."

Jake rolled his eyes. "You just want to start trouble."

"It will be a first and probably take mom's mind off things."

Jake shook his head. "You game?"

She shrugged. "That's fine. I need to go down there anyway."

They headed to the elevator in silence.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Liz looked up and is relieved to see Jake in one piece. When she spots Sophie, she wonders what is going on. It's clear she's a volunteer from her attire.

"I'm sorry I worried you."

They embraced. "I just need to see your face."

"Mom, this is Sophie who managed to talk me down."

Sophie moved forward. "Your skin is to die for."

Liz slightly smiled. "Thank you. So, you volunteer here?" Jake had never brought anyone to meet her before, so their meeting must have been significant.

"Yes. I'm almost finished nursing school. I'll be done in December."

"Mom was a nurse," Cam said.

"Really?"

"Yes, but it was in America."

"I've always wanted to visit."

She has a cute accent. Johnny observed Jake's reactions and then glanced at Francis who is thinking the same thing. On his phone, he typed in the name from her nameplate and sent it off to a tech to do a background check. Something tells him this is going to be Jake's first girlfriend.

"I think you'd like it."

Liz sat, so Sophie sat next to her and they chatted. Jake is relieved that his mom has seemed to relax a little. A half-hour later, she had to leave, but phone numbers were exchanged.

"I like her," Liz said.

"She's nice."

Cam snickered. "Jakey and Sophie…"

"Shut it."

Liz stood and moved away before dialing.

"Hello?"

"Remember I said I may need you if someone gets hurt?"

Piph tries to shake the cobwebs off. "Who?"

"Jason dove in front of Jake and he was shot." Her voice broke a little as she struggled to hold it together.

"I can leave as soon as possible."

"Francis will contact you with the details. Do you think you can kidnap Monica?"

Piph smirked. "Just leave it to me…"

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An hour later, Piph arrived at the Quartermaine mansion.

Alice opened the door.

"Hello, is Dr. Quartermaine home?"

"She's eating breakfast, Ms. Johnson."

"This is an emergency."

Alice stepped back so she could enter. "In that case…" She moved forward leading the way.

"I'm here to kidnap her."

Alice screeched to a halt and then turned and folded her arms across her chest. "I'm afraid I can't let you do that."

Piph smirked. "Do you really think you could take me?"

Alice cracked her knuckles. "Four championship belts say I can."

"I put up with obnoxious patients and self-entitled, horrible excuses for human beings every day, not to mention a slew of arrogant doctors and gossipy nurses. You'll need an army."

Monica cleared her throat. She had heard the raised voices. "You want to tell me what is going on here?"

Piph smiled. "Hello, Dr. Quartermaine."

"You can call me Monica. We're not at work."

"Good, because it will be a long plane ride if I have to be that officious."

Monica's brow rose.

"Jason needs you. Drew is there too."

Monica's stomach flipped. "Where?"

"They are in Sicily. It's a long story, but he's hurt."

Alice rushed by them. "I'll pack your bag."

Piph watched a myriad of emotions flicker on Monica's face.

"Was he shot?"

"Yes. He was protecting Jacob."

Monica gasped. "Elizabeth?"

Piph nodded. "Will you come?"

Monica whipped out her phone and made some arrangements. Alice hurried towards the door and carried the bag to the car and the rushed to the kitchen and returned. "Here are some snacks for the ride. Will you please text me and let me know he's alright?"

"I will. Thank you, Alice," Monica said before grabbing her purse and then following Epiphany.

Forty-five minutes later, they were in the air.

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It was almost 4:00 am before the doctor returned.

Liz stood, waking up the boys who had fallen asleep. Johnny moved to her side. "How is he?"

"He's in critical condition but stable. He has some weird anomalies with his blood." They can't figure it out.

"He was missing for seven years and just recently returned. They kept him heavily drugged most of the time. He said he was conscious enough to move around, but not hold a thought."

The doctor ran his hand through his hair as he processed that.

"Did it do much damage?"

"It may cause him to heal slower. We also won't know how it affected his brain or if there is muscle degeneration. If we knew what they gave him, it might help."

Drew is listening and knows what he needs to do.

"I'll see what I can do. When can we see him?"

"They are moving him to a critical care unit. Only two people will be allowed in the room at a time. The next two days are crucial. We must guard against infection."

Liz blinked back her tears.

"I will send a nurse when he is ready."

He left and Johnny hugged Elizabeth and let her cry it out.

"I'm going to go to Switzerland on my own. Stan is researching and has found a contact. Maybe he can not only help us get the USB back, but he can also shed some light on the drugs Jason was given," Drew said.

Liz moved in front of him. "I don't like you being on your own."

"I'll go with him," Milo said.

"Are you sure?"

Milo glanced at his father who nodded. "Yes."

Max moved forward and gave Drew his number. "I'll have our pilot call you when the plane is fueled. He'll stay in town until you need him again. I'll take you to the house so you can pack."

Drew hugged Elizabeth. "I'll see you soon. Tell my brother I'm thinking of him."

"I will."

He leaned to whisper in her ear. "If your heart wants my brother, I will learn to live with it. I guess we'll both have something to be jealous of."

She clung to him again. "You're a good man." She will always have love for him. They would have been fabulous together, but she has more history with Jason, and they have a special connection, which is part of the reason that she ended up doing the stupid things she did.

He smirked and she smiled. "I like it when it reaches your eyes."

"Drew?"

"Yeah?"

"If you get hurt, I'll hurt you worse."

He chuckled. "I'll remember that."

She wiped a tear away as he and Milo left.

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Sam put the baby in her playpen and answered the phone praying it was Drew. They had been playing phone tag.

"Hello?"

"Hey."

"Where are you?"

"I'm about to take off."

She glanced at the clock. "Why are you awake?"

"A lot of shit went down after midnight. Jason was shot."

Sam gasped. "Is he okay?"

"We don't know. He had surgery, so now we wait."

She closed her eyes. "Is there something else you're not telling me?"

"Yes, but it's highly confidential. Sam, if I tell you and it gets out, Jason will never forgive you or me."

She sat on the couch. "You don't want to tell me?"

"No, because it's that serious."

"I can keep a secret."

He sighed. "When we got to Palermo, Elizabeth was here with the boys."

Sam gasped. "What?"

"I know. We were shocked. She has been running the Giambetti organization and Jake is their enforcer."

Sam can't even move. "Come again?"

He chuckled. "I know it's crazy. Jake wanted to be like Jason. They couldn't change his mind. She became boss when the Giambettis were kidnapped to protect everyone. We rescued Maximus and Max and the other man involved tried to shoot Jake and Jason pushed him out of the way and took the bullet."

Tears pricked her eyes. "They must be going crazy. I hate that he's hurt, but I'm also glad that you're safe."

"The drugs they had him on have done some damage. I'm going to Switzerland with Milo to chase down some leads."

"Okay."

"Sonny and Carly can't know any of this."

She's surprised, but since Elizabeth is involved, she understands. "My lips are sealed."

"You feel like using your spidey skills?"

She smirked. "I would love to help. What's up?"

"I'm going to text you a name. See if you can get in to see Andre. Say the name and gauge his reaction."

"That's it?"

"Pretty much… I'm trying to find out what drugs they used on my brother."

She grinned.

"You're smiling, aren't you?" He knows she's probably excited to get out and do some detective work.

She chuckled.

"I love and miss you and the kids so much."

Her heart feels so full. "I'm sorry I argued with you about Elizabeth."

"It's okay. I understand. For the record, she's glad that we're happy."

The women will never be friends, but he hopes they can at least be civil.

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Monica and Epiphany rushed into the hospital.

"Hey," Francis said.

Piph hugged him. "How is he?"

"He's still critical, but he's not getting worse. Elizabeth and Jake are with him. I'll text her."

"Thanks."

Johnny slightly lifted Piph as they embraced making her laugh.

"I knew you missed me."

"More than you know… Lizzie is back, and she is brutal."

Piph chuckled. "That is great news."

A few minutes later, Liz rushed toward them and embraced her friend. "Thank you so much for coming."

"Always…"

Liz stepped around her. "Hello, Monica."

"Hi. How is my son?"

"He's unconscious, but so far, he's responding to the medicine. It's just a slow process because of the drugs he was on in Russia."

Monica sighed. "Thank you for watching over him."

"I know this is awkward, but we can talk later. Let me lead you to the wing and then you can go inside."

Monica nodded and followed her while Johnny entertained Epiphany. When they got there, Liz pointed and told her the room number and she made her way there.

Her eyes lock on her son and her eyes tear. Jake stood and Monica gasped.

He slightly smiled. "I know I'm a lot bigger than the last time you saw me."

She nodded and glanced at Jason again before turning her attention back to her grandson. "You look like your father."

"Yeah."

She moved closer. "Are you okay?"

He ran his fingers through his hair. "I'm scared."

"May I hug you?"

He nodded and Monica rubs his back as she gripped him.

"Did you talk to him?"

"Yes. Mom says he needs to feel our strength."

"She's right."

"I'm going to go get some coffee. Do you want some?"

"Please. Just bring me a cappuccino."

"I'll be right back."

He moved away and she ran her hand up Jason's leg and then grasped his hand.

"You always have to be the hero, don't you?"

A stream of tears rolled down her face. "I just got you back. I swear you kids are going to be the end of me."

Epiphany moved forward. "Ain't that the truth." She went to the other side of the bed. "Jason Morgan, this is Nurse Johnson. I'm here to make sure you follow doctor's orders because we both know you are a lousy patient. You rest and get your strength back. We're not going anywhere." She squeezed his hand. "Alan made some good-looking kids."

Monica chuckled as she wiped her face. "Yes, he did."

"You were a little strumpet back then, weren't you?"

Monica laughed. "Only you can make me laugh at a time like this."

"Jason needs some uplifting energy." Piph began to hum and then sang a beautiful song, making Monica cry again.

"That was incredible."

"Jake should be back by now with your coffee. I'll go check." When she got to the hallway, Elizabeth was waiting there with it.

"I'll take it in."

"Use this time wisely."

Liz nodded. She and Monica need to come to a truce.