A/N – Thanks for the comments! I appreciate it!

Chapter 7

Johnny shifted as he studied Jason's expression. "What's up?"

"I know." He had decided that it was best to just be up front with Johnny so there are no misunderstandings.

"You know what, exactly?"

"That you're working for Francis."

Johnny ran his fingers through his hair. "Oh…"

"I guess my only question is if you were playing me too."

"I never played you. I might have been dishonest about my motives, but I always had your back."

Jason isn't sure what to think. "You know how this looks, right?"

"Yes, but I still consider you a good friend. I'm here, aren't I?"

"I just wish you had told me."

"And what would you have done? It's not that I didn't trust you. I just didn't want to put you in an awkward position. Now, what are you going to do about it?"

"I don't know. I have no loyalty to Sonny, but what about some of the other men?"

"I'm not here to start a bloodbath. Francis is just trying to stay one step ahead. We don't trust Corinthos and have good reason not to."

"Sonny is crazy, but he's not completely stupid. He probably suspects something is going on with you."

"True, but that is more about him thinking I know where you are. Are we good?"

"I guess." While he understands Johnny's position, it's dangerous and he's worried it will backfire.

Johnny's phone rang and Liz started to stir.

"I have to go. Call me if you need anything."

"Okay."

The door shut and Jason turned his attention back to Elizabeth whose eyes fluttered open.

"Elizabeth?"

She stared at him for a minute, eyes glazed. "Beautiful…"

He waved his hand in front of her eyes. "Are you okay?"

A slow grin appeared on her face and then her hand reached up and touched his lips, tracing them.

He silently watched her, wondering what she is thinking that put a smile on her face.

"Kiss me…"

His brow furrowed. "What?"

"Kiss me…"

"Um, you're really out of it right now."

"Are you scared?"

"Of you?"

She nodded as she wondered why he kept getting blurry.

"I'm not scared of you, but if I'm going to kiss you, I'd like you to actually remember it in the morning."

She pushed up into a sitting position, taking a minute to wait for the dizziness to quell, but it didn't help. "Feel funny…"

"Do you need to go to the bathroom?"

"No."

"Then what do you need?"

"I told you, silly."

He smirked. "Elizabeth…"

She sighed. "I love the way you say my name. Say it again."

He isn't sure what to do. As cute as she is being, she was drugged and doesn't understand what she is asking.

"Please…"

"Elizabeth."

She shudders and then her eyes start to shift left and then right.

"What are you doing?"

"Why are there two of you?"

"Uh, maybe you should lie down again."

She falls against the pillows. "Will you tuck me in?"

He covers her up as her eyes flutter shut.

"Kiss…" she murmurs.

He leans over her and kisses her forehead. "Sleep…"

A smile lights up her face and then she finally dozes off again.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

The next morning, Jason put some water on the coffee table for her and about 10:00 a.m. she sat up and tried to focus, groaning as he put a water bottle in her hand.

"Thanks…"

She chugged some and then handed it back. "Why do I feel like I'm in hell?"

"You and Emily were drugged at the rave last night."

Her eyes grew big. "Is she okay?"

"Yes. Nikolas had to take her to the mansion because he was worried. Johnny went over there to check on her and she puked a couple of time, but she's fine."

Liz searched her thoughts, trying to remember. "I'm not sure what happened. Did Nikolas bring me here?"

"No. I asked Johnny to check on you and he saw some guy put you in a car."

Her eyes grew wide. "What?"

He reached out his hand. "Johnny followed and he found you."

"Do I want to know?" Her eyes pricked with tears as her rape flashed before her eyes.

"I'm not going to lie to you. Johnny caught him starting to undress. You were passed out."

Her lip quivered.

"Elizabeth…" He tugged her closer as she started to cry and held her until she quieted.

"I can't believe it almost happened again."

"I'm sorry."

She pulled back. "Thank you for sending Johnny."

"I worry about you."

"Because I think someone follows me?"

"Partly…"

Slowly, she wiped her face and then took a deep breath. "I don't know how to feel. Should I be relieved—sickened? I mean, he can't hurt me, right?"

"He'll never be able to hurt you or anyone else again."

She understood the finality of his words. "Thank you." Suddenly feeling dirty, she abruptly stood and then ran to the bathroom and shut the door, trying to hold in a sob as she stumbled to the shower and turned it on.

Jason heard the water and then the phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hey, handsome," Epiphany said.

"Hey."

She moved into another room and shut the door, "What's wrong?"

"Elizabeth went to a rave last night. I had Johnny check up on her and some idiot drugged her and Emily."

"What!"

"I know. Anyway, the guy took her to his place and when Johnny got there, he was getting undressed. Elizabeth was passed out, but dressed."

Epiphany sat on a chair. "Dear God…"

"He got to her in time."

"Where is she?"

He sighed. "She went in the bathroom about ten minutes ago and then I heard the shower."

Piph closed her eyes. "She's scrubbing herself because she feels dirty."

Jason punched the pillow next to him. "What do I do?"

"Go to the door and talk to her, Jason."

"And then?"

"I pray that she listens and comes out."

He slowly stood. "Okay."

"I'll call you back in an hour. If she doesn't come out soon, you'll have to call Emily."

"I will. Talk to you soon."

When he got closer, he could hear her crying.

"Elizabeth. Please get out and let me help me."

She squeezed her eyes shut, her body red from scrubbing it over and over.

"I'm going to come in if you don't say something."

"I'm fine."

"No, you are not."

"You can't help me, Jason."

"Can you try and trust me?"

She shut off the water and then slowly got out and grabbed a towel.

"Elizabeth?"

He heard the door unlock and took a step backward. It slowly opened and then she came into view, her eyes red as she trembled and clenched the towel to her body.

"What do you see when you look at me?"

He cleared his throat, feeling awkward. "A beautiful person…"

"Do you—can you tell I was raped?"

"What? No…"

"Do you think I'm weak or damaged?"

She is killing him. "No. You are one of the strongest people I know."

A tear rolled down her face. "I don't feel strong right now. I just don't get it. Why? Do I look like I'm easy or like I should be taken against my will?"

If Zander wasn't already dead, he'd rip him apart with his bare hands.

"No."

The towel started to drop and he turned around as it fell to the floor.

She stood their defiantly and brutally vulnerable. "Why did you turn around? Take your best shot. Everyone else does. Apparently, my body is open for business."

He could feel her detachment and it made his heartache. "Elizabeth, please put the towel on."

"What? Am I too tainted for you?"

"You are way too good for me."

She started to laugh hysterically, unable to stop.

"Do you want me to call Emily?"

Slowly, the laughter abated and then she is filled with shame and put the towel back on and went to her room, slamming the door behind her.

Jason hits the wall with his hand and then goes back into the living room debating about what to do. About fifteen minutes later, she plopped next to him.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay."

"It's not okay, Jason. I'm acting like a crazy person. You can't even look at me."

He quickly sat up and then touched her face and moved it so she'd meet his gaze. "I'll admit, I had no idea what to do, but I think you get to freak out about what happened."

"Will you hold me?"

He pulled her onto his lap and her arms latched onto him.

"Don't let me go."

"I promise."

She cried for a long time and then fell asleep and he let her stay right where she was. When Piph called again, he told her that he had it under control and laid down, bringing Liz with him and then covered them up.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Yawning loudly, she opened her eyes and then realized where she is and looked up, finding an amused Jason staring at her.

"Hey," she said softly.

"You're awake. Are you hungry?"

She nodded and then sat up so he could too.

"Will pancakes be okay?"

"Yes, but you don't have to."

"I want to."

He went to the bathroom and then busied himself in the kitchen while she freshened up. When she was done she joined him.

"Can I help?"

"I'm good. Just have a seat."

"Thank you again, Jason. I'm glad it was you."

He glanced at her. "Me too…"

She slightly smiled. If she was going to have a meltdown, he is the person for it because he doesn't judge and listens. He let her express herself even though she knows the whole thing was probably torture for him.

"I like that you're comfortable enough to trust me. I don't want you holding stuff like that in."

She took a sip of her drink.

"Promise me that you'll always come to me. Even though it hurt knowing how you were feeling, I hope you know that a lot of that comes from hurt. You are a beautiful person, Elizabeth. Just because some asshole makes a habit of trying to take advantage of women, doesn't mean you have a target on your back. He didn't see weakness in you, just someone he wanted. Don't let him dim your light."

She blew out a harsh breath. "I used to think that people could tell I had sex and men would be drawn to me because of it."

"Did you want sex after that?" He put the pan aside to look at her.

"Sometimes…I mean I was feeling things in my body when I was around Lucky sometimes and I didn't know what to do about it and then I felt bad for not being able to go there. In fact, I felt a lot of guilt and self-hatred. He was patient with me, but it took me a long time before I really let him touch me."

"I get it. One day, you're going to be with someone and the rape won't be in your mind at all. It will be just you and him and hopefully, a lot of love because you deserve it, Elizabeth."

She slightly smiled. "Can I ask you something?"

He placed a plate in front of her and she licked her lips. "Sure…"

"Do you find me attractive—you know, in that way?"

He smiled mischievously. "I would have to be a monk not to be attracted to you."

She bit her lip nervously. "Really?"

He nodded as she shoveled some food into her mouth. "In fact, it took everything not to take you up on your offer last night."

Her fork clattered to her plate as her eyes widened. "Did I—did I try to take advantage of you?"

He grinned. "No. You just asked me for a kiss."

Her eyes narrowed. "Are you messing with me?"

"No."

"And you turned me down, huh?" She is warming to his playfulness.

"Yes."

"Why?"

"If I'm going to kiss you, then I want you to remember it."

She laughed. "If you were that good at it, maybe I would have remembered regardless."

"Do you doubt my skills?"

She shrugged. "If the shoe fits…"

He started to dash around the counter and she yelped and took off as he gave chase. She is laughing so hard, tears are in her eyes and finally, she moved the wrong way and he hopped over the couch and then trapped her against the wall, staring at her lips a long time before speaking.

"I do want to kiss you, Elizabeth, but I'm scared to go there with you because of my life. You deserve so much more than I can give you."

"I can make my own choices."

He stepped backward. "I know, but partly, I feel you don't have a reference for what I mean and my job can't be romanticized away."

"I get it," she said before dejectedly walking back into the kitchen.

"Please don't be mad at me."

"I'm not. My emotions are just all over the place right now."

"That is part of the reason I didn't kiss you even though it killed me not too."

She slightly smiled at his chivalry. "I'll help you clean up."

"Deal…"

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Johnny brushed past Nicole and headed straight for his daughter who is sitting on the floor playing.

"Dada…"

He grinned and picked her up. "Hey, baby."

"I was just about to feed her. Do you want to?"

He glanced in her direction. "Yes."

She went into the kitchen and nuked a pre-prepared toddler pasta meal and then retrieved a spoon before going to get them. "You can put her in the high chair in the kitchen.

Johnny got up and then followed Nicole and put Ali in the chair and then messed with the tray, finally getting it into place so Ali could smack it with her hands.

He beamed as he watched her.

Nicole handed him the food and then retreated, leaving him to handle it.

At one point, she discreetly took a picture of them and then texted it to him.

"I called you last night to see if you wanted to put her down."

"Sorry, a friend needed me. It's a good thing too."

"Care to share?"

He glanced at her and then back at Ali, shoveling another fork full into her mouth. "My friend, Jason, asked me to check up on a mutual friend who had gone to a rave. Some shithead drugged her and I saw him put her into a car and gave chase."

Nicole gasped.

"I know. When I got there, she was unconscious and he was undressing. I knocked him out and took her home."

"Is she okay?"

"I'm sure she is physically, but something bad had happened when she was younger and I'm sure this is messing with her emotionally." It just disgusts him that any man would do that to a woman, let alone a child.

"I'm glad you were there to help. What happened to the guy?"

He smirked. "Your brother took care of it."

"How? Please, I want to know."

His face scrunched. "I feel weird saying this in front of her."

"She won't understand you. They respond more to the reflection of your voice anyway."

"Francis beat the shit out of him and then made him cut off his own dick under the guise that he'd let him go."

Nicole's eyes grew wide.

"Except, Francis didn't and let him bleed out."

"Remind me never to piss him off."

Ali finished up and then Nicole handed him a bottle. As he fed it to her, she nodded off and then he went upstairs and carefully laid her in her crib.

Nicole watched him enter the living room with a serious face as she adjusted the baby monitor.

"Can we talk?"

She nodded and sat.

"I had a long talk with her about our situation because she found me on the dock after I learned the truth and shared it with me. She tried to explain your motivation and reaction because of the rape."

Nicole is not sure how she feels about someone else knowing, but figures this woman could be trusted if Johnny felt comfortable enough to share his feelings.

"I'm trying to forgive you for not telling me. I don't want to have any bad feelings between us. Alaina doesn't need to feel that and frankly, I just don't want to have to deal with that kind of stress. Regardless of whatever happens between us, our daughter's needs will always come first."

Nicole wiped a tear away. "I agree."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Yes."

"Do you still have feelings for me?"

Her face twisted and she covered it with her hands. "You don't understand. I still feel so dirty, Johnny. God, I look at you and my heart swells because I would give anything to be that girl I was the last time we were together, but she has checked out and I don't think you'd like who I am now. Some days are more of a struggle than others, but bottom line is that I have a long ways to go and you deserve better than what I can give you."

He shook his head. "Don't make choices for me and if you don't want to be the person you are today, then you can change that. I don't want you to let those assholes win."

She stood, glorious in her fury. "You have no idea what I went through. It's not that easy. They beat me and took what they wanted wherever they wanted to. There was no gentleness. They were savages and the more they hurt me, the giddier they were. I retreated inside my mind because I couldn't take the pain and listen to all the horrible names they were calling me. I'm always scared and paranoid and if it weren't for our daughter, I don't know if I could get out of bed in the morning." She starts to hyperventilate and he runs to her and holds her as she sobs. After a few minutes, he lifts her and takes her to the couch and sits, cradling her in his arms.

"I'm so sorry. I'm here now. Please let me help you."

"I don't want your pity."

"Then what about my love?" He can hardly believe he's going there, but he still loves her—that he has no doubt of. "I do still love you and I don't want to let my pride come before that."

She grips his shirt. "Say it again…"

"I love you, Nicole. I know that we aren't in the best place right now, but it's a start. We can start over and learn to be the best parents we can be together. Can you try?"

"Yes. I love you too."

"Good."

He rocks her until she falls into an exhausted sleep. Somehow, he's going to help her get better and do right by his family.