A/N – Thank you for your comments and patience. I do appreciate it. This chapter is pretty much rock bottom for Jason.

Bradford picked my question for the podcast for Steve to answer. Their guest was Wes Ramsey. I was so thrilled. I basically asked does Steve get Jason's appeal because sometimes his comments about Jason's lack of personality makes me think he doesn't. The response was pretty funny. It's at the very end if you get a chance to listen to it.

Chapter 16

Liz slipped into Epiphany's room while they took Lucky for testing.

"What happened?" Epiphany asked.

"Lucky."

"You're going to have to explain what that means."

"Remember how I thought someone was following me and then I was seeing things?"

"Yes."

"It was really him. I spoke to him several days ago and then found him in the alley today. Rico called 911 and he's here."

"Wow! That's crazy."

"No one stays dead for long in this town."

"You think! How are you taking this?"

"It's kind of scary and weird, but I'm handling it. Helena was holding him and we're afraid that she did something to him."

"He could be dangerous."

"I know, but so far, he has been fine."

"Does he want you back?"

"Yes, but I have no plans on doing that when I like someone else."

"Just please be careful. This is the last thing that we need to focus on. Jason needs us." She can't imagine what Liz is going through. It had to be a huge shock, but she's glad that Liz is not interested in Lucky anymore.

"I know."

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Sonny took a swig from his glass and then picked up his phone. "Look, I want to move up the timing. Have your boy make his move tonight."

"Okay."

As much as Sonny likes Ronnie, he still doesn't one hundred percent trust him. There is something about him that puts the boss on edge. People like Ronnie know how to hide their past. Ultimately, he wants Jason back and plans on Ronnie taking the brunt of Jason's revenge. Carter is also a wild card, but Ronnie said that he could contain him. I guess they'll find out. Tonight is a test and if Carter succeeds in putting some fear into Jason, that will be good and the man will wear him down for another week and then, it will be a make or break situation. Sonny just hopes that he'll survive it. In fact, he's counting on it.

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Nikolas watched his brother's eyes flutter open. "Lucky?"

It took a minute before he could focus. "Nikolas?"

"I can't believe that you're alive."

"Surprise…"

Nikolas shakes his head. "Where have you been?"

Lucky sighed. "Helena was using Faison to hold me. I don't remember a lot, but what I do isn't good."

"I'm sorry. I never thought that she'd take it this far. We were so messed up after the fire, especially Elizabeth." He could see a flash of pain in Lucky's eyes. "Do you still love her?"

"Yes, but I don't think she feels the same way."

"She's just confused. It took her almost a year to get herself together. Jesus, I owe her an apology. I thought she was going crazy when she said she thought she saw you."

"Yeah. I thought I was being stealth, but she caught me a few times."

"Why were you hiding?"

"I was trying to get my bearings. Helena did something to my head and sometimes I lose time."

"We'll get you help, Cowboy," Luke said moving forward.

"Hey, dad."

Luke's eyes teared. "I thought you were gone for good. I've been looking for that old bat ever since."

"Faison had me under her orders."

"I'm going to find a way to fix everything. I promise. We'll get you help and Elizabeth will come around. You'll see."

"I think she fell for someone recently."

"Who? I mean I just went out with her and she didn't mention being with anyone unless it's Johnny O'Brien," Nik said.

"I think it's Jason." He had followed her to Epiphany's one time and saw him at the door.

Nikolas and Luke glanced at each other.

"Cowboy, Jason is in jail and for a long time. I don't think you have to worry about him."

"Did it just happen?"

"Yes."

"Well, Elizabeth isn't over him yet."

"She will be. We'll convince her that she can't spend the rest of her life pining over an inmate," Nik said,

Liz listened from the hallway. Her life will never be her own if she goes back to Lucky. Never once did the men in the room seem to care about what she wanted. That told her everything she needs to know. At some point, she and Nikolas are going to have a serious conversation about their friendship. While she gets that he would protect his brother and even want them back together, if he can't accept her choices, then they are going to have a problem.

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Jason moved into the lunch room and put his tray down at an empty table. He took a sip of his drink and then started eating, not caring that it seemed like the whole room is staring.

A man stopped in front of him. "Word has it that Corinthos is no longer providing protection. We'll see how tough you are now, Morgan." His laughter filled the air as he walked away.

Jason knew that this would probably happen eventually, so he's not surprised. Mentally, he's prepared, but he knows he may not survive it and had made peace with that. He was never big on believing in fate, but time will tell what his will be.

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Lucky opened up his eyes and then slightly smiled. "Hey. I hear I owe you one."

Liz shrugged. "I'm glad I found you before it was too late."

"Me too."

"When can you leave?"

"I'm not sure yet. I had to take some tests."

"Well, I'm glad Luke is back so he can help you. Nikolas will too."

Lucky is surprised she's not offering. "I was hoping I could stay at the studio."

"I'm not so sure that's a good idea, Lucky."

"What are you trying to say?"

"I think that's it's best for us to just make sure we're clear where we stand."

"So, you're not even going to give me a chance? We were good together and in love. Why are you just giving up on me?"

Liz sighed. "We've talked about this. You know how I feel."

"Is it Jason Morgan? You can at least tell me that."

When she wouldn't look at him, he knew.

"How could you throw us away for someone who isn't even available?"

"I can't just turn off my feelings, no matter what the circumstance is and frankly, this is my choice and you don't get a say in it!"

Lucky's eyes went cold and she unconsciously wrapped her arms around herself.

"This isn't over."

"Yes, it is."

She turned and headed into the hallway and then jumped when she almost ran into Felix.

"Hey, are you okay?"

She nodded. "It's complicated."

"Piph is sleeping, but if you need to talk I'm here."

"I'm fine."

"They are letting her go home tomorrow. We got her out of bed and she walked a little."

Liz smiled. "That's great."

"Elizabeth, she wants to go straight to Pentonville and she won't back down."

"I figured she would. I'll go with her. We'll take some guards with us."

"I have the day off, so, I'm going as well."

"She's going to need us, especially if he won't agree to meet with her."

Felix is nervous about the trip and hopes it won't be too hard on Piph. "Then we'll be there for her."

He walked her to lobby as Rico trailed them.

"Let me know if anything changes."

He gave her a hug. "I will."

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Jason is shoved into the exercise room where a group of men is waiting.

Manny Ruiz watches from across the room. Johnny had told him to keep an eye out for Jason, but don't get involved unless it's dire circumstances.

Carter smirked. "Look who it is, my roomie. You're looking a little pale tonight."

Jason's expression is lethal, making some of the men a little nervous.

"You can stare at me like that all night long, but something tells me that you won't be able to maintain it when you're screaming."

The other men chuckled.

"I've been in here five years and you're just about the best looking man I've seen in a long time, hell, you'd be almost pretty without those bruises."

Jason's jaw clenches.

"It makes me wonder if you've ever taken a man before," Carter said as fiddled with his pants.

While Jason had envisioned a lot of outcomes, rape was not one of them and the realization that it's probably going to happen engages his flight or fight response and he tries to size up his competition.

He is surrounded and his hands form a tight ball as he waits for someone to initiate contact. A few seconds later, a fist is thrown and Jason blocks it and his punch sends the man flying through the air, he fought as hard as he could, but then he is tackled and several men pounce on him and use their girth to hold him down. His pants are yanked down as he struggles and then someone starts to kick him and he's hit in the head with an object and sees stars. Taking advantage of his confusion, his pants are pulled all the way off and he feels the sting of Carter's smacking his buttocks and legs with a rolled up magazine.

Manny slowly moves towards them, his men following.

Jason's eyes are open, but he's barely conscious.

Carter drops his pants, revealing his enormous erection which juts out proudly. "I want this taped."

Another guy smirks and pulls out the camera.

Manny looks at his guys and nods. There is no way he can stand there and let Jason be raped, so as soon as Carter is about to do it, they'll attack, hopefully catching him off guard.

Carter gets on his knees and touches Jason's legs, running his hands up them. "This is probably going to hurt, but who knows, maybe you'll learn to like it." The other men laugh as they watch him move a little closer. "Maybe I'll let a few guys get some of this too."

They cheered as Carter started to inch forward and that is when Manny sprung into action, hitting Carter with such force they crashed into a bench.

Jason had passed out from the kick to the head and Manny's men surrounded him.

"If you ever put your dick anywhere near him again, I'll fucking cut it off!"

Carter struggled beneath him. "What? You want some of this too?"

"I don't swing that way. Now, what is it going to be?"

Laughter pierced his ears. "You just made a huge mistake, Ese."

Guards started pouring in the room, so Manny quickly got up and lined up next to the wall as Carter hurries to pull his pants back up.

"What the fuck is going on in here?" a guard asked as he stared at Jason's half-naked body. "Jesus Christ, is he alive?"

Another guard checked his pulse. "It's weak."

"Get a transport. Since I already know that none of you is going to tell me what happened, go to your cells."

They had noticed that the camera had been covered which is why they had descended on the room.

Jason is moved onto a backboard and then covered up and carried to the infirmary.

A doctor rushed towards them and pointed towards a gurney.

"What happened?"

"They beat the shit out of him and may have raped him."

The doctor grimaced. "Alright, we'll handle this from here."

He and two other male nurses tended to Jason's wounds and then the doctor typed a report to the warden.

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The next morning, Epiphany is released and Felix picks her up in the van. Rico is accompanying them and Felix drives.

Elizabeth is nervous. They have to drive an hour to get to their destination and the whole way, she can't help but fret.

"Elizabeth, it's going to be okay."

"You don't know what."

"I have an ace up my sleeve."

Liz's eyes narrow. "What advantage could you possibly have?"

Piph grinned. "You'll see."

When they finally pull up and park, Felix gets out and Rico helps Piph sit in the wheelchair.

"Are you comfortable?" he asked.

"I'm good."

He pushes her into the building and they go through security and then they are directed to a room where a man greets them.

"Mrs. Johnson, I'm afraid you've come out here for nothing. You are not on Jason Morgan's approved list. In fact, there is no one on his list."

"I didn't get your name, but I'd like to see Warden Lewis."

"Ma'am, no one sees the warden without an appointment."

"I'm quite sure if you tell him that Epiphany Johnson wants to see him, he'll agree."

The man sighed. "You are putting me in a very bad position."

"I understand that he probably doesn't want to be disturbed, but he owes me one."

The man's brow goes up and realizing that the woman is not going to back down, he moves to a phone and dials and then talks feverishly with someone before finally hanging up. "He'll see you."

Epiphany smiled. "Told you…"

"I'll take you."

"Can my nurse, Elizabeth, come with us please?"

The man followed her gaze and then slowly nodded. "Fine, but I'll push."

Rico isn't happy about it, but he really has no choice. Liz follows behind them and they get in an elevator and then after going through three corridors, they arrive at the office.

Epiphany is moved next to a couch and Liz sits next to her. A minute goes by and the warden enters the room.

"Epiphany, this is a surprise." He kisses her on the cheeks. "It has been a long time."

She smiles. "I'm sorry for disturbing you."

"The meeting was boring, you saved me. Now, what is this I hear about you calling in your marker?"

"Well, I really need to see Jason Morgan."

His expression tightened and Piph wondered what is going on.

"I don't think that will be possible."

"Guy…"

"Epiphany, Jason is unable to visit anyone at the moment."

Her head tilted. "Why? Is he okay?"

Guy sat in his chair. "Last night, he was attacked."

Liz bit her lip as they gripped the couch cushion.

"How bad?"

"He was almost raped." The guards had overheard people talking, but no one would ever snitch.

Liz gasped, prompting Epiphany to reach over and grab her hand.

"What else?"

"He was badly beaten and has some broken ribs, a facial fracture, and a moderate concussion."

"Has he regained consciousness?"

"No, we kept him sedated to limit his pain."

"I know this is highly irregular, but I need to see him."

Guy ran his hand through his hair. "You know I will be forever grateful because you saved my grandson, but Epiphany, this goes against every rule."

"With all due respect, screw, the rules. That man is in here because he refused to fight because I got shot. I need to see him and talk to him. I promise I will leave after that and get out of your hair. Please…"

He averted his gaze, resting his eyes as he thought about. "You get fifteen minutes and that's it."

"I'll take it."

He called the guard into his room and gave him explicit instructions and then the man released the brake on the wheelchair and took them to another building.

There were inmates in the yard and they came to the fence and whistled at Elizabeth who tried to block the men out.

"I'll take you back a different way to avoid them," the man said.

When they finally made it into the building, he explained a few things.

"This isn't the normal infirmary. It's where more critical patients are kept. You'll have to put on a mask and wear gloves."

"Okay."

They are suited up and then move inside a room and then taken to a far corner.

The women gasp when they see him.

"My God, what did they do to him?" Epiphany whispers before grabbing Jason's hand. She slowly rises, so she can lay a kiss on his brow and run her hands through his hair.

Elizabeth goes to the other side of the bed and holds his other hand.

"Jason, it's Epiphany. I'm so mad at you. Look what they've done to your face." He barely looks like himself it's so bruised. "I won't give up. I love you. Elizabeth is here too. We're going to get you out of here. You just have to hold on. I will sell my soul if I have too. No one will touch you like this again."

Manny appears in the doorway. He volunteers in there because it's quiet and it keeps him sane. "He fought hard."

Their attention goes to and Liz swallows hard as she peruses his tattoos.

"Did you help him?"

"Yes."

"What is your name?"

"Manny."

Piph sits in the chair but doesn't let go of Jason's hand. "Thank you. I'm Epiphany and this is Elizabeth."

"I can't promise you that they'll never touch him again, but I'll look out for him."

"Do you have a roommate?"

"Not anymore." He was released the day before.

"Would you be willing to have him as yours?"

"I guess at this point, it won't matter. I've already put myself out there." No one messed with Carter because of his outside connections. He was usually able to get people what they wanted which gave him free reign. There is always a guard willing to take the risk and supplement his or her salary.

"I'll make it happen."

He looked at her incredulously.

"Yes, I've got it like that."

Manny shook his head as he smiled. "I have to go. Take care."

"Watch your back."

"Always…"

Elizabeth kissed Jason and then gently touched his face. "Epiphany is right. I won't give up on you. We need you to fight, Jason. Please don't give up."