Chapter 8

Eva walked down the hallway to use the bathroom and that is when everything went black. "Shit," she muttered as she raced back towards the room pressing the panic buttons in her pocket.

She heard what sound like painful groans and ran faster hoping that they aren't hurting Jason. Right before she reached the doorway, she is shoved against the wall and the wind is knocked out of her.

"You are such a pretty sight. It's too bad I have to hurt you."

Jason is trying to figure out what the hell is going on.

"Please…"

James smiled. "Did you people really think that you could stop me? Amateurs…"

"If you hurt him—"

"What are you going to do about it?"

She struggled to speak. "The guys will gladly kill you."

"Did you call in the Calvary? I didn't think you'd be so bitchy."

"Fuck you—asshole…"

His hands tighten around her neck. "You're going to live, for now, beautiful one. Maybe someday I'll get to punish you for that potty mouth. I just wanted to make a point that I can get to Jason and his beautiful wife any time I want to. That goes for the kiddies too. You don't think I know they are holed up in that cottage? I have eyes everywhere."

Eva struggled to maintain consciousness.

He lowers her slightly to kiss her lips. "Till we meet again…"

Blackness surrounds her as she passes out as Johnny yells her name sprinting towards her.

The power is shut off again, giving James just enough time to elude the other guards as he moved into a room, locked the door, and then headed into some ducts before dropping into another room and then getting into an elevator headed to the roof.

The generator turns on as Johnny reaches for Eva and feels for her pulse.

Epiphany rushes towards them. "What happened?"

"James was here. We were breached."

Piph grabs a gurney from down the hallway and has Johnny place her on it. "She's got a pulse, let's get her some oxygen." She moves the bed into Jason's room and hooks it up.

Liz and Francis hurry inside. "What happened?"

"James attacked her," Johnny said.

Liz gasps before quickly assisting Epiphany.

"There is bruising around her throat and judging by the knot on her head, she hit it pretty hard on the floor or wall," Piph said.

"We'll monitor her pressure. She should wake up soon."

Piph slipped off Eva's shoes and then covered her before grabbing Johnny's hand. "She'll be fine. We got lucky."

Jason wishes he could be there for his friend.

Robin hurries into the room. "Is Jason okay?"

Liz almost groans. "He's fine. Evangeline was hurt by the man who is after Jason."

"What do you need me to do?"

Liz briefly shuts her eyes, realizing that she'll need Robin's help. "I'll take care of Eva and Jason. Can you monitor Jason's brainwaves?"

"Why?"

"We gave him something that we're hoping will stimulate him."

Robin is momentarily speechless. "But what if it hurts him?"

"At this point, we had to try something. Theoretically, it shouldn't. It's either going to do nothing or open a new doorway."

Robin nodded before grabbing a stool and then heading over to the machine. "I came because the power went off at my apartment."

"So, it's off everywhere?" Johnny asked. They had just walked into the building when all hell had broken loose.

"Yes."

Eva started to come to, so Johnny moved closer. When she started to fight, he gently held her against him. "Baby, it's okay. I've got you."

A sob left her lips as she clung to him and then Johnny kissed the top of her head and laid her back.

"What do you remember?" Francis asked.

Eva's face contorted when the pain in her head took her breath away. "Ow."

"You hit your head and you are bruised around your throat," Liz said.

"That explains it."

"I'll give you something to take off the edge in a minute."

"James was here. I had gone to the bathroom down the hall because the one here was out of toilet paper. The lights went out and I pushed the panic buttons and ran back here as fast as I could so I could protect him, but James was waiting for me. He grabbed me and held me up. He told that I would live this time that he wanted to show us that he could get to Jason any time he wants and then he kissed me."

Johnny is livid.

"That's the last thing I remember. Wait!" Her eyes bulged. "He knows about the kids and where they have been staying." She is hoping that Robin doesn't ask any more questions.

"Son of a bitch!" Francis said.

"His brainwaves are increasing."

"What!" Liz said before rushing over there. "Oh my God, it's working."

"Explain," Johnny said.

Liz returned and moved towards Jason and held his hand. "We gave him something to try to increase his brain activity. We have a theory that he can hear what is going on around him. This proves it." She leaned closer to Jason. "Jason, I need you to try to calm down. I know you're upset," she said as she lightly scratched his scalp, but please just focus on relaxing. I need to know if this is working or not."

Jason doesn't know if he can but as her fingers worked their magic he almost fell asleep.

Robin grinned. "It changed again. I think he's falling asleep."

Liz almost smiled. She knows what her man likes. "Alright, now we know that we're on the right track."

Eva's eyes fluttered shut. "Need pain meds over here."

Piph chuckled as she strode towards them. "You know I have your back."

"Thanks."

She put them in the IV. "Alright, get some rest because we'll be waking you up in a few hours."

"Great…"

Johnny kissed her hand. "I won't leave you."

"Are they safe?"

"Yes."

Tears prick Liz's eyes as she realizes how close they came to complete devastation.

"Liz…"

She moved closer to Eva. "Yes."

"Hang in there."

"I am. I'm glad you're okay. It killed me, but they are too."

Eva squeezed her hand before falling asleep.

"Francis and I will be in the hallway. The other guards were gassed, but they're alive."

"Do they need anything?"

"Already taken care of," Piph said. Luckily, Nadine was around to help.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Piph sat next to Elizabeth in the research room. "So, it's probably easier to agree to be with someone dangerous when you've never experienced it. How are you hanging in there?"

"I'm just worried. I've never been away from them that long and I'm scared I didn't do the right thing." It's in a mother's nature to stay by her children's side and defend them at all costs. She feels like she has abandoned them.

"It wasn't an easy decision, but if it's any consolation, I think it was the right one."

"I just need him back."

"When you found out about the violence that surrounds him, what did you do?"

Liz sighed. "I couldn't process it; why would he want to be around it?"

"I don't blame you. Jason's life is complicated."

She nodded.

FLASHBACK

Jason's eyes lingered on Liz's plump lips as he slowly retreated.

"Elizabeth…"

"Why did you stop?" They had been dating a week and she just didn't want to hold back any longer.

He sighed as his back hit the cushion and realizing that he had tensed, she climbed off his lap and sat on the coffee table in front of him.

"Talk to me." Biting her lip, she waited for what she thought was the end. It was just too good to be true. Whatever is about to leave his lips is going to change everything. She can feel it.

His eyes fluttered open and locked on her. "I need to tell you something before this goes any further."

Taking in a shaky breath, she nodded.

"I—I never expected to meet someone like you. It was easy to get carried away and get lost in you, but you need to know who I am before we go any further. It wouldn't be fair to you."

"Are—are you married?"

He frowned. "No."

"Kids?"

He shook his head.

"Then what?"

He leaned forward, closing the distance between them. "I'm a dangerous man, Elizabeth. I probably shouldn't have even started this. I never expected to feel so strongly in such a short time. Maybe I just wanted something normal and to feel free, but it wasn't fair to you."

Her eyes pricked with tears. "Don't I get a choice? I mean, you haven't even told me why you think you're dangerous."

"I don't think—I know. I'm in the mafia. I'm an enforcer, Elizabeth. I protect the organization against anyone who comes against them. People are gunning for me all the time which means anyone close to me can also be used as a target." He eyed her, looking for signs of distress, perspiration, or stress, but she hadn't moved, not even a blink.

A minute went by before she licked her lips and spoke.

"I don't understand."

"What?"

"Everything… Why did you choose to live your life this way?"

He swallowed hard. "Life changed for me the day my drunk brother drove us into a tree."

Her eyes bulged.

"I lost all my memories and I had to re-learn things most take for granted, like right and wrong and saying thank you. I was a blank slate and couldn't control my anger. They told me I had brain damage and that I'd never be able to love and would just mimic emotion."

"They were wrong, weren't they?"

"Yes."

"How did you end up in the mafia?"

"My family didn't handle the accident very well. They protected my brother and wished I was still the old Jason. It made me feel like there was something wrong with me and I couldn't give them what they wanted. I rebelled and Sonny ended up helping me. He listened and accepted me without question. At first, I just worked in the warehouse, but I moved up quickly. I felt proud because it was something I was good at and someone believed in me."

"Do you regret it now?"

"It's all I know, but I travel a lot to clear my mind. It's complicated."

"I see. Is the business the reason you were in Italy?"

"No. I like it here."

She stood and started to pace. "So, you kill people?"

"Sometimes, but it's not something that I enjoy. It's a necessity."

"Wow."

His stomach drops as he waits for her to kick him to the curb.

"This is a lot to take in."

"I know and I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want to deal with it."

She paused to gaze at him. "What do you want, Jason?"

"It doesn't matter because I chose this path. You're the one having to take all the risks."

"Do you want to be with me or not?"

"Yes."

She moved in front of him. "What if we don't expose our relationship?"

"They have ways of finding out, but I may be able to hide it for a while."

"I get it. There are no guarantees."

"Do you really understand? You could be shot, killed, even beaten and tortured if you choose me."

"Love is a risk."

"One which is even higher in my case…"

Her fingers lightly traced the side of his face. "I can't explain the connection we have, but it's beautiful and I don't want to walk away. I want to try, Jason. This can be our place away from everything. You can go back and deal with the business and I'll be someone you can come home to."

"You mean that?"

"Yes. Where is the business?"

"Port Charles, New York."

"Do you think we can lay low here and just be?"

He nodded. "I'll make it happen. No one will know you exist unless it's absolutely necessary."

"Then make love to me, Jason. Make me yours."

His heart swelled as he sensuously enveloped her mouth. Maybe he's a fool to think that his job will never touch her, but he's already so far gone and he'll do whatever he can to protect her from his harsh reality.

FLASHBACK END

Piph let out the breath she was holding. "And what about now? Do you regret your decision?"

Liz smiled. "No. He is everything. Those babies—they are the best thing that has ever happened to me. The way he loves us is just otherworldly. I have no regrets where he is concerned."

Robin strode towards them. "I think he's sleeping. I'm going to take a nap. The next twenty-four hours are crucial in determining how to read his brainwaves and hopefully, figure out responses."

Liz stood. "Thank you."

"I'm not the enemy. I love him."

Liz tried to school her reaction.

"I meant to ask you earlier, but with all the excitement, I forgot. Evangeline mentioned knowing about the kids. What was she talking about?"

After a brief moment of internal panic, Liz leaned closer and whispered, "It's our code name for Monica and Alan."

Robin nodded. "Okay. I need to go get some supplies and then I'll sleep."

She left and Liz and Piph went back to Jason and Eva's room.

"Her levels look good," Piph said.

"I'll do the honors." She moved to Eva's side. "Evangeline, wake up."

When she didn't move, Liz smiled and tried again which only elicited a small movement, so Liz was forced to shake her.

"Not again…"

"Sorry. Do you know your name?"

"Evangeline Williamson—the president sucks and yes, Jason is the best looking man in Port Charles, just don't tell Johnny I said that."

Liz grinned. "And?"

Eva's eyes fluttered open only to narrow. "Fine! He also has the best abs."

Jason is awake and internally smiled.

FLASHBACK

Eva groaned as Liz jarred her awake. "That's it, I need a gun."

Liz grinned. "It's time for twenty questions."

"You've got three and then I'm going back to sleep."

"Your name please,"

"Evangeline Williamson."

"And who has the hottest boyfriend."

A dreamy smile graced Eva's face. "Me."

"Wrong answer…"

She blinked a few times before she honed in on Liz. "Huh?"

"Let's try this again. Who has the hottest boyfriend?"

"Me!"

"Sorry, I guess you are further gone than I thought. I'm going to have to wake you up every hour now."

Eva's jaw slightly dropped. "You wouldn't…"

"Oh, I most certainly will now, let's try this again. "Who has the hottest boyfriend?"

Eva's eyes narrowed. "You?"

"Bingo! And the hottest abs?"

Eva rolled her eyes. "Jason?"

"Correct again, you may go back to sleep now."

"Unbelievable…"

FLASHBACK END

Piph chuckled. "That has to be the least professional concussion-related questions I've ever heard."

"Stick with me, Piph. I have more." Liz had been enjoying making up whacky questions for Eva.

Eva groaned. "Sleep…"

Liz giggled as she moved over to Jason and then kissed him on the forehead.

"I have some rounds to do, but I'll be back," Piph said before leaving.

"Hang in there, baby. I know you're going to come back to me." Liz moved over to the brainwaves machine and then wracked her brain to figure out what comes next.