A/N – Thanks for the comments! Hope all the moms out there had a nice Mother's Day.

Chapter 25

Nadine's eyes flickered open and then she tried to jump up when she remembered what had happened.

Johnny is sitting across from her staring. "I can't remember what I saw in you. Not only were you frigid, but you always were a snarky bitch."

"Fuck you."

"Never again, thank God…" He leaned forward. "You betrayed my girl. She was tortured and almost lost her mind and died because you led James to her."

Nadine sighed. "I didn't know what he was going to do."

"Oh, I think you had a good idea. You just didn't care."

He got up so swiftly that his chair went flying backward. His hand gripped her throat. "I should fucking snap your neck. Did you really think you'd get away with this; that I wouldn't come looking for you?"

He eased his grip so she could speak.

Her eyes filled with tears. "I thought I could hide out and you wouldn't find me. How?"

He smiled. "I had a little help from a friend who tracked you from the day you left. How does it feel knowing someone went behind your back and gave up your location? Sucks, doesn't it?"

"I hate you so much."

"Not as much as I hate you. You didn't have to pick up the pieces when Eva lost it, thinking that the kids and I were dead. She was left in a hole half-naked while they tortured her with rats and anything else, they could think of, and then, she basically drowned, but I got there at the last second and saved her. You helped that asshole hurt my wife and this asshole is going to make you wish you were already dead."

"Wife?" Her stomach rolled.

"Yes. She is my wife and we're going to have a wonderful life; hopefully have some kids someday while you're rotting in the ground."

A tear rolled down her face. "You're really going to hurt a girl?"

Johnny laughed. "No, I'm hurting a cold, heartless, bitch." He squeezed one more time before letting her go, making her cough and struggle to catch her breath.

Two men moved in behind him looking very sinister.

"What are you going to do?" The first thing that went through her mind is that the men would rape and beat her.

"Nothing, you're going to do it all for me."

They dragged her to another room as she struggled to hold it together. A door is opened, but the room is pitch black and she is dragged inside. Her body shakes as she starts to cry.

"Please, don't hurt me. I'll do anything."

His jaw clenches. "My girl begged liked that, but they didn't care, and right now, neither do I. I don't care how you feel or what you want. I own you."

The lights flicker on and she frowns when nothing comes into view. The room is empty.

Johnny walked to the center. "They put her in a hole in the ground and when I found her, she was underwater. She barely made it."

"Please..."

"Save it. You'll never get sympathy from me." He grabbed a handle and lifted it.

Her eyes grew big as she watched him move it aside.

"We made sure the water was cold, just for you."

She is dragged by the other men to the edge where she looks down.

"It's too deep to stand in. The walls are slick, so there is nothing to hold onto. You'll live for as long as you can hold your head above water." He grabbed her throat and squeezed again, shocking her by lifting her with one arm and dangling her over the hole. "Burn in hell," he said before he dropped her.

Her scream filled the air and her left arm and leg slammed against the wall before her body sunk into the frigid water almost making her scream and suck in water. As her head broke the water, she cried out, frantically taking it all in. "No! Please don't leave me here!"

Johnny stared at her for a moment and then covered the hole as her muffled screams bounced off the walls of her proverbial coffin.

Nadine's teeth chatter in between sobs. "Oh God, please. Don't let me die like this," she said as she treaded water.

Johnny sat in a chair and then his phone buzzed. He pulled it out. "Son of a bitch!" There is his Eva cuddled up on Jason. "Payback is going to be a bitch."

The next morning in Port Charles, Piph checks her phone and gasps. "Those hussies!"

Monica leaned over her shoulder. "What?"

Piph showed her and Monica cracked up.

"Your son is out of control."

"He's smiling." She is tickled by his facial expression.

"I knew I should have tied him to that hospital bed."

Monica shook her head. "Hindsight…"

Piph sighed as she headed towards a patient. She misses them more than she'll ever admit.

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Johnny pulled off the lid. Nadine had made it through the night. "I just had a nice breakfast; pancakes, bacon, sausage, and eggs." He patted his stomach. "It sucks to be you."

"Bite me."

"I'd probably catch something. You look like you're doing too well." He made eye contact with one of Helena's goons and then a man grabbed a bag. "This should get your blood pumping."

The man pulled a large rat out of the bag and tossed it in as Nadine screamed.

It plunged into the water and started swimming and she tried to move away.

"Asshole!. Oh God, please!" Her muscles are aching, and she knows she can't keep it up for much longer.

Johnny observes as the rat catches up to her and tries to crawl on her. She went under and tried to push off the wall, but when she came up for air, the rat was on her, scratching her scalp and upper back as he attempted to get on top of her head. She is screaming and fighting with it, going under the water several times. "Bye, Nadine. Have fun with your new friend."

A terrifying scream fills the air as darkness takes over and then Johnny seals it. "Call me when she's dead."

The man nodded. It shouldn't take too long. Even if she somehow kills the rat, she'll tire herself out and eventually drown. Johnny didn't care what they did with the body, but Helena felt it was best to burn it. They had already taken her car to a chop shop and removed all her belongings from the house and erased the fact that she had been there.

Johnny headed to the car and then got inside and dialed Jason's number.

"Hello?"

"It's done."

"You okay?"

"Yes. She got what she deserved."

Francis had filled Jason in on Johnny's plans and he had been stunned that Helena was able to arrange it so quickly.

"Maybe we can save it for James."

Johnny smirked. "I'll have Helena clean it out, but I don't think you should use water. Let him rot down there. I think starving him to death will work very well. He should suffer."

"That's fine. It's not like I'm in any condition to torture him at this point."

"I just need to find him first."

"You will."

"Now, when I see you again, someone is getting his ass kicked."

Jason grinned. "You can try."

"Please, you're barely functioning."

"When was the last time you were in bed with three women? Try never…"

Johnny made a face. "Just don't let it happen again."

"Eva looked comfortable in the picture."

Johnny started the car. "Yup, you're getting an ass beating."

Jason chuckled. "Promises, promises. Be careful."

"I am. I'm catching a flight back to PC and then I'll resume the search. Hug the

rugrats for me."

"Will do."

"Tell my wife that I love her."

"Wus…"

"I learned it from you." He hung up the phone and pulled onto the road. It's time to find James, so his wife can live her life in peace.

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Two days later, a helicopter landed on the property prompting the WSB guards to run into the yard along with Francis with their weapons drawn.

Francis is shocked when Helena and two men exit it and moved towards them.

"What the hell?" Francis said.

"Hello, Mr. Corelli. I need to speak to Jason and Evangeline."

He told the WSB guys to stand down and then led her to the house.

Jason and Elizabeth, who are in the kitchen, are shocked to see her.

"I hope you've been having a lovely vacation."

"How did you know where we were?" Jason asked.

"Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me. When are you going to realize that I pretty much know everything?" She focused on Elizabeth. "Would you be a dear and go get Mrs. O'Brien?"

Liz isn't happy, but she goes upstairs to get Eva.

"Don't look so threatened," she said to Jason. "I come in peace."

Jason crosses his arms in front of him.

The women appear and Eva moves forward.

"What is going on?"

"I did you a big favor."

Eva sat. "Is Johnny okay?"

"He's fine. It's too bad that he's taken. He has a gift for torture and is not hard on the eyes."

"He's mine, so don't forget it."

Helena chuckles. "Relax, he was on his way before Nadine expired. Now, I took the liberty of doing you one last favor."

"What's that?" Jason asked.

"I was the one that took James."

You could have heard a pin drop.

"We couldn't let those pompous agents have all the glory. It was brilliant. Sometimes, I outdo my expectations. The look on his face when he spotted me was priceless."

Jason and Francis lock gazes before his attention goes back to the older woman. "What do you want in return?"

"You can tell me about your plans for him. Johnny left me a message, but I probably could make some suggestions. It is my specialty after all."

Liz's head tilts. "Not many people baffle me, but you're one of them." It just doesn't make sense that Helena would be this involved. "Why don't you tell me the real reason you took James. Did he do something to you?"

Helena sighed. "Let's just say that I'm a little territorial. He came into my town and embarrassed me, and I don't take kindly to that. Now, the real question is what you want to do with him."

Eva moved towards her. "I want to face him."

"Eva…" Jason said.

She spun on her heel. "I have to. Please…"

"I can't let you go alone."

Helena rolled her eyes. "I won't hurt her."

Jason ignored her. "I'm coming with you."

"No!" Liz said. "I almost lost you before. Jason, please don't go."

His eyes softened. "Don't you trust me?"

"Yes, but I don't trust him—or her," she whispered.

"Just stay here with our kids. If anything should happen, they'll need you." While he doesn't think that Helena intends to harm them, accidents can happen.

Tears pricked her eyes.

Someone whispered in Helena's ear and she tensed.

"The WSB called in backup. Come now, or you won't get another chance."

Jason grabbed Liz's face and kissed her. "I promise I won't stay longer than I have to."

"Come back to me, Jason."

"I will."

He moved away and then nodded to Helena.

"Let's go."

They hurried towards the helicopter and jumped inside and took off. Five minutes later, another copter landed, and Johnny and Frisco ran towards the house.

Elizabeth is being held by Francis.

"What happened?" Johnny said.

"That's what I want to know," Frisco said.

When no one responded, he eyed his daughter. "Why was Helena here?"

"She wanted to borrow some salt."

"Dammit, Georgie, this isn't funny."

She sighed as Liz stood. "She thinks she may have a lead on James."

Frisco scoffed. "James is dead."

"What?"

"They found a body and we're pretty sure it's him. We tracked him there."

Liz is dumbfounded. The only reason she said what she did was that Frisco wouldn't have believed anything else and she's sure that Helena would cover her tracks.

Johnny perused the room. "Where is my wife?"

"She went with him," Liz said.

Johnny can't even speak he's so angry. He went into the yard and soon Liz joined him.

"She wanted closure. I didn't want Jason or her to go, but he insisted because she was determined to face him."

"I don't know what's going on. Helena walks a thin line."

"I think she planted the fake body to throw them off."

"I hope you're right."

"Do you know where they are?"

He sighed. "I'm not one hundred percent sure. She could have taken her to the hole."

"The one Eva was in?"

"No, the one Nadine was in."

Liz's brow rose. "You threw her in a hole?"

"Yes. It was full of water. There also might have been a giant rat involved."

Liz cringed. "Damn… Maybe I shouldn't tease you so much."

Johnny smirked. "I need to ditch Frisco."

"Well, he insisted on staying. We could try to sneak out, but his men are everywhere now."

"Do you want in?" He had already figured she would.

"Yes." Jason is going to be pissed, but she doesn't care.

"Can you scuba dive?"

Liz smirked. "Like a pro. I took lessons on our last vacation before I got pregnant."

"I'll have Julia create a diversion. Meet me at the launch. You'll have to be fast. We need to get in the suits and the water fast. A boat will pick us up around the bend."

"Alright, I'll be ready."

"When you hear her scream, go out the side door. I'll be right behind the house."

"Okay."

Liz went back into the house and about fifteen minutes later, there was a scream.

Frisco ran outside.

"Take care of my babies," Liz said to Georgie before heading out.

Johnny was already pulling up his dive suit, so Liz quickly did the same and then they ran to the dock and put on their oxygen tanks and got in the cold water. It's a bit murky, but Liz made sure she kept up with Johnny, and when they finally were close enough, he popped out of the water and a man waved to them.

They swam to him and then he helped pull them inside and then jetted away.

By the time an angry Frisco realized they were gone, the twosome was already on dry land and headed to an airstrip.

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Jason and Eva got out of the plane.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"Yes."

They moved into a building.

"He'll be here in a half-hour. Are you hungry?"

They declined.

"I'll be in the next room."

They sat. "I think we need to talk about what's going to happen."

"I just want to tell him that he didn't win. I need to."

"He's probably going to taunt you."

"I don't care."

"Are you sure you can stop yourself from reacting?" His instincts are telling him that Eva is going to go off.

"I'll do the best I can."

He stretched his neck. "I need to prepare you."

Her gaze met his. "What?"

"The plan is to put him in a hole and let him starve to death. We may do some other things too, but that's the gist of it."

She shuddered. "I can do this," she whispered.

"I can try and get Johnny here."

"He can't fix this for me. It's something I need to do just like taking care of Nadine was what he needed to do."

"I get it, but it's so soon. I don't want it to set you back."

"Just be there for me, okay?"

"Always…" She is part of his family. He grabbed her hand and they sat there for about fifteen minutes before Helena returned.

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Elizabeth is anxiously fiddling with her seat belt. They had finally taken off and while it's a short flight, she won't feel better about everything until she knows Jason is truly safe.

"He'll be fine."

"He's weak, Johnny. James is smart. If he figures out how to get free, he may take Jason out."

"Helena won't allow that."

"She's not God."

"Oh, I know that. She's more like Satan's bride, but she's very cunning too. The fact that she was able to steal James right from under the WSB shows that she's not afraid to lay it down. James would be stupid to go against her."

Liz smirked. "Is she your hero now?"

"Far from it. My girl is my hero. Even after everything he did, she is still willing to face her fears, but there is something you don't know."

"What?"

"The plan is to put him in a hole so he can starve to death over time. I'm scared that it will set Eva back."

Liz nodded. "Jason will be there for her. Maybe this is what she needs; to confront him and take her power back."

"I just hope it doesn't cost her everything she's worked so hard for."

"It won't because she's strong. Have faith in her."

Johnny nodded. "Doesn't this thing go faster?"

Liz grinned. "Now who's being impatient?"

"I learned it from you."

"Unbelievable…"

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Helena moved inside the room. "They are almost here. Does Johnny's plan still stand?"

"Yes."

She is surprised that Eva would be comfortable with it. The sign of strength makes Helena respect her more.

"He's in a terrible mood and hasn't shut up. If necessary, we have duct tape."

"Duly noted," Eva said.

"Please stand over there." She pointed and they moved.

About two minutes later, the doors are thrown open and James is pushed into the room. His eyes land on Eva and he grinned as he's shoved onto a chair.

"Well, well, look who it is. Did you miss me?"

"Asshole," Eva muttered.

"Don't be that way. Should I beg for my life?"

When his eyes twinkle, she wants to rip his head off.

"I came here because I wanted you to see that you didn't ruin me. I'm still standing and while you're burning in hell, I will be happy and well-loved."

"Nice speech, tell me, when you went under the water the last time, did you wish you had the chance to take me up on my offer?"