A/N – Thanks for the comments. The journey continues.

Chapter 17

The time went fast and the Warden met them at the end of the long corridor.

"What are you going to do to make sure this doesn't happen again?" Piph asked.

"We'll keep an eye on him."

"Better yet, I think you should put him with Manny."

"Manny Ruiz? How do you know about him?"

"We saw him in the infirmary. He tried to protect Jason."

"Mr. Ruiz is out of here in a month, so Jason will be back to square one after that."

"I'm hoping to get him out of here by then."

Guy smirked. "You never cease to amaze me."

She winked. "Tell your wife I said hello."

"I will."

Rico was relieved to see them.

"Well?"

A tear escaped Piph's eyes. "He's a mess. They beat him badly and I'm scared for him."

"Then we have some work to do," Felix said.

They nodded determinedly.

"Let's go."

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Over the next few days, they worked hard to get some leads. Jason is still in the infirmary recovering, but they are planning on decreasing the drugs so they can access what to do with him.

"This is going to too slow," Piph said as she put her laptop aside.

Stan glanced at her. "I'm doing the best I can. I think I have a lead on the witness. Now, we just need the trail to prove that he was paid off." He is using a computer that Francis provided so Sonny couldn't trace the activity.

"What about forensics?"

"Supposedly, they'll be ready next week."

"By then, Jason will probably be back in a cell."

"Even if we find something substantial, it might be a while before we can get a judge to consider the evidence," Liz said.

"True, but Lila said she was willing to pull some strings," Piph said.

Stan smiled. "She's been helpful. Let's hope she can come through."

"I need to go out later on."

They eyed her suspiciously.

"What? They aren't returning my calls, so I'm going there directly."

"Is Felix coming over?" Liz asked.

"Yup. We'll leave as soon as he finishes his shift."

"You have therapy in the morning," Stan said.

"I know. I won't be overdoing it. You'll just have to trust me."

Stan returned to his search, knowing better than to argue with her. He had lucked out because Elizabeth is able to help since Kelly's hasn't reopened, but that is going to change in two days when he goes back to work. Sonny thinks he's caring for his mother, so he has been leaving Stan be.

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Francis looked up. His secretary had gone home and it's it late, so he isn't expecting anyone that isn't already there.

"Boss, there's an Epiphany Johnson here to see you," a guard said.

He sighed. She had left several messages, but Francis hadn't been available. He might as well get it over with.

"Send her in."

Feliz pushed her into the room.

Francis had gotten one of the messages when Johnny was around, so he's aware of who she is and her relationship with Jason.

"Mr. Corelli, thank you for seeing me. Felix, you can leave us alone."

Felix is not sure what to think. "Okay…"

The door is shut behind him and Piph starts to get up and Francis jumps to his feet and makes her sit in his chair which is more comfortable. The gesture is not lost on Epiphany who appreciates it. He is handsome, muscular, and tall. She definitely appreciates the package.

Once she was settled, he took a seat across from her.

"Can I get you anything?"

"No, I'm fine. I do need your help though."

Francis studied her. She is a strong woman and he guesses her to be in her mid-thirties. While a little on the round side, she wears it well and guessing by the look on her face, she is no-nonsense.

"Is this about Jason or Johnny?"

"Yes. They beat Jason within an inch of his life and almost raped him."

He had gotten word from Manny. "I know."

"How?"

"Manny is one of my men."

She is surprised. "Oh."

"I'm not sure how else I can help you."

"I hear you have the best lawyer at your employ."

"Diane is the best." She is actually standing in the bathroom listening.

"Then I want you to have her look over Jason's case. If we don't get him out of there, he's going to die and Sonny wins."

"And what do I get out of it?"

"Hopefully, a really good enforcer. He's smart, loyal, and needs someone to guide him that has some damn sense."

Francis smirked. "What makes you think that I'm interested?"

"Why wouldn't you be? You're a businessman and Jason knows the Corinthos business which you hope to acquire. Not only that, but he has a stellar reputation. No one would mess with you when you have the best surrounding you and I know that family is important to you. I've met your sister."

His brow raised.

"She has spunk. I like her and that cute niece of yours."

"You seem to know a lot about me. I feel like I'm at a disadvantage."

"Well, maybe I'll let you take me out to dinner once I've recovered a little more and we can close that gap."

Diane is grinning, thinking that Francis may have met his match.

He can't help it and smiles. "You are very confident."

"I know what I like and while I haven't been around a lot of bad boys, let's just say the idea of it has been growing on me. Now, about Diane…"

"She's kind of bu—" He's cut off when Diane saunters out of the bathroom.

"I'm not too busy for this. Hello, it's very nice to meet you, Miss Johnson."

"Thank you, Miss Miller. Your reputation proceeds you."

"I am the best and from what I know, you are the best at what you do also."

Francis frowned. "I feel so left out."

Diane glances at him. "Try to keep up. Now, I have a feeling you have information you can give me."

"Yes. My son is helping me as well as several other people including Lila Quartermaine."

"She is such a doll. I love her. I also never cower from a challenge. I'll send someone to your place tomorrow morning to pick up whatever you've got."

"Great. Forensics will be done sometime next week. I'm hoping there will be some kind of anomaly."

"Well, if there is, I'll be on it. Who represented him initially?"

"A public defendant named Hugh Hughes."

"How redundant."

Piph smiled which lit up her face, intriguing Francis.

"We think Sonny paid off him and the witness."

"We'd need proof. Of course, if the witness doesn't show up, even better."

"Stan thinks Sonny is using some computer guy named Spinelli. He's a pompous ass and has bragged about a few things online."

"We'll get our tech on it. His name is Nick."

"Well, I have to say, things are looking up."

Diane shook Epiphany's hand. "It will be nice doing business with you."

"Likewise, Francis has my number, feel free to call me if you need anything, and by the way, these are for you."

She handed them each a bag. "Elizabeth is part of the team and her brownies are to die for."

"Thank you. I love chocolate."

Felix is brought back in and helps Piph get back in her chair.

"Goodbye, Mr. Corelli. I'll look forward to our date."

Francis grinned. "It was nice meeting you. Until then…" He lifted her hand then kissed it.

Felix is stunned and Diane can't resist and reaches over and lifts his jaw for him, making Piph chuckle.

Once they were outside of the room, Diane turns back towards Francis.

"I really like her."

"I'm not even sure what just happened."

"You met your match."

"Maybe…"

"Will you go out on the date? I'm tired of you either not seeing anyone or letting Johnny fix you up with vacuous barbies."

"She isn't necessarily my normal type, but her loyalty towards Jason and her value of family speak volumes. Maybe it's time to take it up a notch. I'm not getting any younger."

She grabbed her purse and briefcase. "Well, Lorenzo is waiting for me."

Francis smirked. "I never thought you'd hook up with a boring teacher."

"He's a hot professor. There is nothing boring going on there." Lorenzo Alcazar is not only hot and great in bed, but he also stimulates her intellectually which is very important to her. He is a literature professor at PCU. When the man reads her poetry, especially in Spanish with that sexy voice of his, she is putty in his hands.

"I'll have to take your word for it."

She winked and then left. "See you manana."

"Later."

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Nicole joined Johnny in the living room. "You said you wanted to talk?"

He nodded. "I might have to work extra hours in order to get Jason out of jail."

"Okay. We'll work around your schedule. I'm doing some charity work with Lila Quartermaine, but other than that, I'll be with our daughter."

"You're a good mom, Nicole."

"Thank you. It means a lot to me."

"Can you sit down a minute?"

"Sure…"

They moved to the couch.

"I've been doing a lot of thinking."

"That must have hurt," she quipped before slapping her hand over her mouth.

He chuckled. It is good to see the old Nicole again. "Very funny…"

She shrugged.

"What do you want to do about us?" Even though they had decided to try, there wasn't a lot of trying going on. They are co-existing peacefully, but he isn't sure what else to do.

"Wow, that's a big question," she said quietly.

"Have you thought about it?"

"I do every day. Just watching you with our child and being in your orbit makes me remember when things were good."

He reached out his hand and she grabbed it. "So much has changed and I have to admit, I'm not sure how to be around you anymore, so it has been a little awkward."

"I've been feeling the same way."

"Are you scared of me?"

She shook her head, sad because of his line of thinking. "I know you wouldn't hurt me like that, but in a way, I don't feel safe with you."

Pain flickers in his eyes and she touches his arm. "Let me explain. I never thought I'd ever want a man again and there are sometimes where I momentarily forget and I look at you like I use too and that terrifies me."

"Is that so bad?"

"My heart was so broken after the rape that I thought I'd never trust anyone again. You scare me because you are probably the only person that has the power to break my heart and I know you're not really sure how you feel about everything and rightly so. If I let you back in and you decide that you don't want me, it would crush me, Johnny."

"Nicole… I have a lot to lose here too, but I promise you that I will never toy with you. At some point, we're just going to have to learn to trust each other again. No matter what happens between us, we're a family now. We'll take things slow, okay?"

"Okay."

"It will be hard, but we shouldn't doing anything sexual until we rebuild things emotionally."

"You're not known for your patience."

He grinned. "Like you're the poster girl for patience…"

She chuckled. "Touche. I think we just need to spend more time together—just us."

He held out his hand. "So we have a deal?"

She nodded as they shook. "You're on."

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Jason moaned as his eyes fluttered open. His mouth is as dry as cotton. Smirking, Manny grabbed some water and a straw and held it up and when Jason's eyes narrowed, he laughed.

"It's not poisoned. I come in peace."

Jason's face scrunched and Manny chuckled.

"Seriously, I'm not giving up this cushy job for solitary confinement."

Sighing, Jason took a few sips.

"I need to go tell the warden you're awake."

Jason wanted to ask how long he had been unconscious, but Manny was gone. A few minutes later, the room is cleared and the warden enters.

"Mr. Morgan, you're more popular than I anticipated."

"How's that?" His voice is low and scratchy.

"Well, Epiphany Johnson and Elizabeth were here visiting."

"What?"

Guy sat next to the bed. "She pulled some strings and called in a favor. Apparently, she's your guardian angel. You'll have to stay put for a few more days until you heal more and then you'll share a cell with Manny."

Jason is stunned.

"Given that Carter almost raped you, she thinks it's a good idea. Manny won her over."

Now, Jason really thinks it has to be the drugs and the warden chuckles at his puzzled expression.

"Stranger things have happened… I need you to stay alive. I think Miss Johnson thinks she's going to spring you. It will take a miracle, but she's pulled one out of her hat before, so if anyone can do it, it's her." He stood. "You won't be given any preferential treatment, so keep your nose clean. Once you're cleared by the doctor, your new lawyer will be in touch."

"I don't have a lawyer."

"You do now and from what I know of her, she's a pit bull. As I said, Epiphany Johnson might just be the best thing that ever happened to you. If I get in trouble and that woman is by side, trouble would run."

Jason watched him leave and then closed his eyes wondering what the hell Epiphany and Liz are up too. He's not happy they are plotting, but he knows Piph won't give up. Part of him is relieved that she was even well enough to travel, but the other part wishes she had just stayed away so she'd be safe.

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Sonny growled as he listened to the message. Ronnie watched him curiously, wondering what had gone wrong as he waited patiently for the call to end.

Tossing the phone onto a pile of paper, Sonny stared his new enforcer down.

"Apparently, Jason was beaten pretty badly and Carter almost raped him.

Ronnie made a face. "Seriously?"

"I don't know if I could come back from that."

"Well, hopefully, we'll never have to find out."

"Apparently, he's in the infirmary."

"We can't get to him there."

"I know."

Ronnie sighed. "You want me to try to reign Carter in?"

Sonny shook his head. "No. I doubt he'll be able to get close to Jason again." While Jason had always been stubborn, Sonny is surprised he has completely given up and put up no fight. The fact that he'd let a woman get to him this much is proof that Jason has a serious flaw, but if he could just get him back in the fold, he's sure he can mold him into what he wants to.

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Francis froze as he started to walk into his office. "Dad?"

The senior Corelli slowly stood. "We need to talk."

Francis's brow rose. "Okay." He shut the door behind him and then took a seat. "What's going on?"

His father had already turned over the reigns to him, so he's surprised that he traveled from Italy to talk to him in person.

Frank Corelli is someone who is considered to be larger than life. He had inherited the business from his uncle because he was the only one who had the temperament to run it. His cousins were pissed at first, but when they realized that they wouldn't live very long if they came against him, they backed off. One had briefly taken a position in the organization and the other went on to other pursuits. Frank had made a name for himself by being ruthless, demanding loyalty, and making sound business decisions. As soon as his son was old enough to train, he mentored him, teaching him what loyalty meant and how he needed to treat the men. After that, he slowly taught him everything he knew. Francis is strong and can be no-nonsense, but he is also very old school and his family is very important to him which can be seen as a weakness to some.

"There are two concerns I have and after much thought, I have decided to interfere."

A/N: Reminder – Frank Corelli wil be played by John Aprea who used to be on the soap Another World