A/N – Thank you for the warm welcome! I appreciate it! Just a reminder that the posting schedule is Monday and Thursday.
Chapter 2
Johnny and Elizabeth went through the back entrance of the wing carrying two sleepy boys. It's very quiet as they move towards the room which is almost disconcerting.
A guard met them in the middle and was introduced and then Johnny led her to the room where another guard is posted.
"Micah, this is Elizabeth Hardy. She is going to help save Jason."
He had been instructed of Elizabeth's identity and will guard her with his life. Everyone in the inner circle is upset about what happened to Jason. The rest of the employees just think he went away on one of his trips. "It's nice to meet you, Ms. Hardy."
"Thank you, but please call me, Elizabeth."
"Yes, ma'am. Dr. Quartermaine is waiting."
Liz took a deep breath and headed inside. When she suddenly stopped at the sight of her husband, Johnny almost crashed into her. Her bottom lip quivered for just a second and then she sucked in a languid breath and moved forward.
Monica stood as she studied the younger woman, relieved that she seems normal. "Elizabeth, welcome…" Her eyes went to the babies and when Jake's lashes fluttered and he peered at her, she was speechless.
"I know this is a surprise, but I want Jason to know they're close so he'll fight. I'm sure he'll be mad because the last thing he wants is to put them in danger, but I'm hoping to use them for his advantage."
Monica is surprised but pleased. "Will you introduce me?"
"That is Jacob, but we call him Jake."
Johnny handed him over and Jake stared for a few seconds and then his eyes drooped shut as Monica rocked him.
"He's so beautiful," Her attention went to Cam, "and look at him with those curls."
"This is Cameron but we call him Cam. They are eight months old."
Monica reached out and touched Cam's hair. "They are perfect, Elizabeth. I can't believe that I'm a grandmom."
Liz slightly smiled. "I'm sorry we couldn't tell you. Only Johnny knew in case something happened." Secrecy was the price to pay for being in Jason's world.
"While I am disappointed that I missed so much, I'm so grateful that they are here and you're giving me a chance."
"My family means everything to me, and I promise that I will do anything I must to save him." She moved towards the bed and laid the baby on his father. "Jason, I'm here, baby, and so are your sons. Cameron is laying on you right now, can you feel him?"
While Jason's eyes are closed, he hears every word and wishes he could let her know in some way that he can. As his son's heartbeat thuds against his chest, he wishes he could hold him.
She kissed him on the forehead. He is breathing through a vent, something she knows is driving him crazy. Weakness, in any form, is not something her husband tolerates. Instead, it's something he preys on, so mentally, he probably feels like he's in prison. "He always looks so calm when he sleeps."
Monica laid Jake on him too and then is surprised when Elizabeth edges onto the bed, her arm thrown over her family. They make a beautiful sight and Jason is loving every moment of it.
Johnny sighed. He hates that Jason had been compromised. Not only is he his boss, but he's also his best friend. People often wonder what Johnny gets out of it but that's because they just don't understand Jason. He's the most loyal person that Johnny knows. When he speaks, it means something. They share a love of motorcycles, playing pool, and drinking beer. Even though Johnny likes to tease his friend, there are times when Jason needs to vent and Johnny listens and tries to help him. Jason does the same for him and Johnny would do anything for him.
After a few minutes, Elizabeth raked her fingers through his long tresses and scratched his scalp. Jason is in heaven, so much so, that when she stopped, he felt like someone had ripped tape off his body. While he should be mad at her for endangering herself and the kids, it just makes him love her even more that she is willing to sacrifice so much to save him. There is no way in hell he'll let James Craig win.
Liz slipped off the bed. "Alright, I better go put these munchkins to bed."
"Georgie will arrive at 7:00 and she can stay all day. She does have some classes, so we'll work around it. Milo is excellent with kids, so he can cover. He'll be their main guard, but other guards will always be around."
"Okay."
They each grab a baby and Elizabeth stops as they pass Monica.
"You're welcome to visit them at the cottage. I probably won't be bringing them back here for a while. It's too dangerous."
"I understand."
"If anything should happen to us, you'll need to make sure you protect the boys."
"I will. The Quartermaines might be bossy and slightly mental, but we fight for family."
Liz softly smiled. "I'll see you tomorrow."
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Once the boys were settled in their cribs, Elizabeth took a hot shower and then climbed onto the mattress. Johnny is in the guest room, not wanting to be far away and she appreciates it. The only thing she is concerned about is confidentiality at the hospital and if James Craig will figure out who she is and try to stop her from helping. If it got to that point and her life is in danger, Johnny would probably flip and try to take them away, but he'll get a surprise reaming because there is no way in hell she is leaving her man. Maybe those shooting lessons that Jason had given her will finally come in handy.
FLASHBACK
Jason closed his eyes for a moment as Elizabeth took a few deep breaths. Just feeling her energy in front of him is overwhelming his senses. Maybe it was the smell of hair or the lemon and lavender body wash she likes so much—whatever it is, makes him want to taste her and now isn't the time.
As his fingers brushed up her arms, she fought a shudder as her body responded to him immediately.
Gently, he lifted her arms until they were extended in front of her.
"Breathe, Elizabeth."
His breath caressed her ear and she slightly whimpered.
"You okay?"
"Yeah."
"Focus on the target and for this time, aim for the chest."
Her tongue flicked over her lips and she felt the loss when he moved a few steps backward.
"The gun will recoil, so don't fight it or the bullet will stray. Look at it as an extension of your arm."
"Okay."
"Exhale and pull the trigger."
She did and jumped a little at the recoil.
"Again…"
She shot it again and after a few times, she's proud when her accuracy improves.
"How did that feel?"
She placed the gun on the shelf in front of her and turned. "It was a little scary, but I think I can get used to it."
"Good. We'll shoot this gun for a few more rounds and then, I want you to shoot mine." She must adapt to how a bigger gun will feel.
He helped her reload and she finished the rounds again.
"You did very well."
She smiled. "Thanks."
"Watch me."
He pointed to a line and she stood behind it and then watched as he loaded his gun and then fired. As she bit her lip, she observed him in all his glory and when he turned to look at her, he could see the lust in her eyes making him smirk.
"I feel the same way watching you."
"Load that up so we can get to the good part."
He chuckled. "Okay."
"I'm going to stay behind you this time." He adjusted his goggles.
"Am I going to be that scared?"
"Maybe…"
The gun is noticeably heavier and it took her a minute to adjust.
"Use the sight to line it up."
"Okay."
She got the target in sight and then pulled the trigger and yelped.
"You alright?"
"Wow."
"It's more powerful and will do more damage."
"I like the other one better. It's easier to handle."
"It is, but you need to at least be able to use this one just in case." If for some reason he's taken down in front of her, she might have to use his gun to protect them.
She nodded and fired two more rounds before Jason took the gun away and then lifted her as he kissed her torridly. Her back is against the wall as his hips press against her.
"Can anyone see us?"
He had rented the whole place and sent the owner home.
"The surveillance is off and we're alone."
They make out for a few minutes.
"Take me home and make love to me, Jason."
"Let's get out of here."
FLASHBACK END
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The next morning, she made Johnny some breakfast and then got the boys ready. Georgie was prompt and knocked softly on the door in case the boys were asleep.
Johnny answered it. "Hey."
She smiled. "Hey, Irish…" He is so handsome.
He grinned. If he was ten years younger, she would have been in trouble. "Liz just fed the boys, so they were messy. She should be out in a minute."
"Does she need help?"
"She's fine. There is a list of numbers on the fridge. Think of it as a phone tree. If you can't reach the first person, move onto the next. Milo will be in and out, mostly outside scanning the perimeter. He'll bring you lunch. Liz left food for the boys on the counter and Milo can help you feed them. Word of warning, they get messy."
She gasped as Liz moved forward. "Oh my God, they are so freaking cute."
Liz grinned as she took in the younger woman. She's cute and has a great smile. "I think so, but I'm biased." She handed Jake off who is staring at the newcomer with curiosity, but was easily won over by Georgie's silly faces. Not wanting to be left out, Cam reached for her and she quickly has her arms filled. She is amazed at how much Jake looks like Jason. Francis hadn't given her a lot of details; just that it's Jason's family and he can't be here to help.
"They are just adorable. We're going to have so much fun."
"Have you ever taken care of twins before?"
"Yes. They were a little older and a lot to handle, but I found ways to occupy them and they listened to me. If I have any questions, I'll text you."
"Thank you, Georgie." It's a little weird leaving her babies with someone she barely knows, but she trusts Johnny's judgment.
"It's okay. Johnny said you were here to help with a patient at the hospital."
"I am."
"Well, good luck."
"Thank you."
Milo is going to clue Georgie in once Liz leaves so she knows how important it is.
They headed out and Liz felt a little emotional about leaving them for the first time.
"They'll be fine. She's great," Johnny said.
"I know. I'm just going to miss them."
"True, but you're going to busy, so the time will go fast."
"Yeah."
They arrived at the hospital and Monica met them at the end of the hallway and handed Liz a lab coat and a badge along with a little map just in case. She had marked some places in red where Elizabeth could hide if necessary. Johnny had already decided that one of the guards would have to go get food or coffee because there were too many gossips around.
She strode into Jason's room and stopped when Robin came into view.
"Hello, you must be Elizabeth."
Liz nodded and shook her hand. "It's nice to meet you."
"This is Jason. The records only refer to him as John Moore. It is his biological mother's last name. He is very important to a lot of people, so we're doing everything to save him."
Liz is going to pretend she doesn't know Jason or his family. "I see." She isn't sure that she'll like Robin. Just from the brief exchange, she can already tell she's a know-it-all due to her expressions and tone. "I'd like to see the lab."
Robin motioned for her to follow and they went next door. "I understand that you work for WHO and are a Medical Scientist."
"That's correct." Her eyes scanned the room. There is some impressive equipment there which will come in handy. "What have you found so far?"
"There are traces of Succinylcholine (SUX) which I believe is causing a type of paralysis. The problem is that it's mixed with other exotic drugs, so I can't identify them. I have detected Pavulon which is similar."
"Well, that sounds like overkill." It doesn't make sense unless they are purposely trying to throw them off.
"I believe there might be something else counteracting them, but I haven't come up with much." That's hard for her to admit because usually she is not stumped.
"SUX is used for lethal injections. I think the Pavulon is helping the SUX stay more viable. Think about it. Since SUX is harder to detect, testing is tedious. I'm impressed that you were able to figure some of this out. What about atypical cholinesterase activity?"
Robin smiled as she considered what was said. "They are giving him something so that he has a sensitivity to SUX and therefore, Jason's body couldn't break it down. Whatever they used is long-acting."
Liz has a few theories on that. The SUX might have been what they used initially, but she's convinced that something else is prolonging the paralysis and wonders if they used botulinum toxin which doesn't always show up in tests. She's surprised that Robin hadn't considered it and has a feeling the woman had gotten very lucky regarding what she had found thus far.
She moved toward a microscope and peered at a slide. "Is this is a recent sample?"
"Yes. I got it this morning."
Liz studied it and doesn't like what she sees. The enzymes are binding and are grouped oddly almost like they were forced together. Whoever made this cocktail is like a mad scientist and there aren't many that exist. As a result, logic is basically out of the window. She pulled back and thought for a moment. A list will have to be written of doctors capable of such advancements and then they'll have to be tracked. She isn't sure that Jason has that kind of time though. Alexis Davis threw him under the bus. When Sonny found out that her baby girl, Kristina, is his daughter Alexis panicked and tried to run, but was stopped by the guards. Somehow, she later evaded them and managed to get back to Windemere where she called Jax's brother for help. That alliance proved to be Jason's downfall. Apparently, Alexis would rather die than let Sonny near her daughter, so she made a deal with the devil and agreed that James would do whatever he can to get Sonny to sign off all rights to his child. When Sonny didn't bite, James decided that Sonny would be more cooperative if Jason's life is in danger, so Jason was ambushed, kidnapped, and drugged. If they want the anti-dote, then Sonny has to relinquish his rights. Alexis will do anything to protect her. Finding Kristina first might help them get the antidote faster.
"Care to share?"
"I'm just thinking. Can you get a whiteboard in here?"
"Yes."
It will be easier for her to track levels, something they need to monitor closely in case there are major shifts.
Robin left to locate one and Johnny entered the room.
"What do you think?"
"I'm going to need someone who is at a higher level and can think outside the box."
"Okay, you want me to get Evangeline?"
"Yes, but won't she be missed?"
"She's due for a vacation, but if she knew she could get in on this, she'd rather be here."
"Alright, make it happen."
Johnny started to turn, but then stopped. "What about Robin?"
"I need her gone."
His head tilted. "I'm going to need to know what you mean by that."
Liz grinned. "Not what you think, killer. I'm going to give you something that she needs to ingest. Does she like coffee?"
"Yes."
"Good. It will give her a slight virus, so she won't be able to come in because of Jason's condition."
"Scary, but brilliant."
It's not a road she'd normally venture down, but Robin won't leave unless she has to and short of tying her up and leaving her somewhere, this would result in less drama even if it does go against her ethics. Considering the dire circumstances, guilt flew out of the window and is replaced with a fierce need to do whatever is necessary to save her man because he would do far worse to save her. "I'll slip it to you in a bit."
Johnny nodded. "Are there ingredients that you need?"
She grabbed a prescription pad and scribbled the name of the drug and how much she needed and handed it over. "The main research lab will have it. I have everything else. It should at least get rid of her for a week. It won't hurt her too much, she'll just sleep a lot."
Johnny left the room and found Monica and gave her the information and then went to find his girl.
A/N – Sorry Alexis and Robin fans. I hope you get the motive for Alexis. She was so fierce about keeping Kristina away from Sonny on the show, it worked to my advantage. Alexis has done shady things, so it's not out of her realm to do something extreme to get what she wants. Now Liz…lol. It's not like she hasn't lied or done something shady on the show or blurred the lines of being ethical, so I didn't feel I went horribly over the line, but I know someone might take offense. Oh well, just like Alexis, she's protecting her family. It could have been worse.
