A/N – Thanks for the comments! I love reading them. I'm so sorry I'm late. This week at work has been insane. Sigh…so glad it's the weekend.

Chapter 18

Francis isn't sure how he feels about that, but he respects his father and figures it had to be hard for him to step back after being in charge for so many years. Francis hasn't been the family head for very long, but he thinks he's doing a good job. "I'm listening."

"First, I understand that you brought your sister here."

"Yes. I couldn't let her be hurt again and she'll have stability here."

"And Johnny?"

"He's doing the best he can to take care of his family."

"I want to meet my granddaughter."

Francis sighed. "I'm not sure that Nicole will want to see you."

"While I understand her misgivings, it's time that I made amends with my daughter."

"I'll let her know that you are in town and we'll go from there." There weren't many things that the two men disagreed on, but somehow, Nicole was always one of them.

"Fine."

"She's still not one hundred percent, but she has come a long way."

Everything had changed for Frank the day Nicole was attacked. The only reason that he hadn't gotten involved was due to Nicole's fragile state.

"I know we have always disagreed regarding your sister and I wasn't always sensitive towards her, but I'd like to change that." When Nicole's mom left, it had destroyed him and he wasn't there for his daughter. It's a huge regret and he's ashamed of his choices.

"It's going to take some effort on your part, but if you show her you aren't going to give up, I think she'll forgive you eventually."

It's all Frank can hope for.

"Second, I'm worried about Jason Morgan."

"We're being discrete."

"But how long will that last? Jason will just give Sonny another reason to come after you and I don't think you want an all-out war with him." Unhinged men usually take chances you normally wouldn't which means people end up dead.

"I don't."

"Then Francis, you need to make sure whatever you have planned will not be compromised by this. The five families are starting to worry." They had reached out to him informally. He told them that going forward, they need to deal directly with Francis, but he agreed to speak to his son on their behalf this once.

Francis sighed. "I'm handling it."

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The next morning, Elizabeth tentatively knocked on Francis's office door.

"Come in!"

Liz pushed it open and moved inside.

"Hello, Elizabeth."

"Yes. I just wanted to thank you for what you are doing for Jason."

Francis motioned for her to sit. "Well, apparently, he has a lot of people in his corner."

"He's hurting pretty badly and I just need him to be safe."

"Are you and Jason together?"

"We like each other and I'm hopeful that it will lead to more."

"Jason has been through a lot, from what I know, so he may be more of a challenge than you realize."

She sighed. "Trust me, I understand. I wanted to also thank you for letting me stay at the house."

"Are you and Nicole getting along?"

"Yes. We've both been through similar things and I think she's great, the baby too."

Francis smiled. "That little girl has the power to ruin my reputation."

Liz chuckles. "Yeah, I think you're going to have to get her a guard that is immune to her—if he even exists."

"I know I'm in trouble where she is concerned."

Francis has a great smile and is very handsome. While he can be a little intimidating due to his girth, she felt very comfortable around him. While all the guards and their boss probably are when they are in their element, she considers herself lucky to see their softer side.

She slowly stood, making him rise to his feet as well. "I don't want to take too much of your time, but hopefully we can get to know each other better since I am squatting at your house." She feels guilty not paying anything.

He chuckled as he moved to her side and held out her hand and Elizabeth latched on as they shook. "You're not paying me anything, so get over it. Now, take care and if you need anything, please ask."

"Thank you."

She left and Francis sat. Elizabeth seems like a very nice person and he figures that if a man like Jason can attract someone like that, he must be doing something right. He isn't sure how much bringing Jason onboard will benefit his organization. It's a risk, especially knowing that the man had given up and there is Sonny to consider as well. Taking his enforcer would be an all-out war and Francis simply is not ready. He has a plan that is working and doesn't want to compromise all his hard work. Jason is going to have to commit fully and be willing to learn and grow in order for Francis to fully take a chance. It's going to be hard enough for him to explain why his lawyer is representing Jason. That they will try to keep secret for as long as he can, but it will come out and then the trouble with the Corinthos organization will start.

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It took two more days before Jason returned to his cell. He tentatively moved into it as Manny watched.

"Relax, I won't hurt you."

"Good to know."

"I took the top bunk. I figured you wouldn't be able to climb up there."

"Thanks."

Slowly, Jason moved forward and with much effort, sat on the bed and laid back, breathing a sigh of relief when he finally reclined.

"I don't think you should go outside any time soon. I'll accompany you to eat, but there will be times that I won't be here. You know the cells remain open, so you'll have to fend for yourself." He'll have some eyes looking out for Jason, but he also has to make sure that he doesn't piss anyone off too. Most are afraid of him, so he's not too worried.

"Thanks."

"Francis pays me well."

"What's he like?"

"He's tough when he has to be, but for the most part, he's pretty chill. I would say he's quiet like you. He's direct and not overly chatty with most of the guards because he wants them to focus and be on-point." There are times that he lets his guard down, but for the most part, he's all business.

Jason is quiet for a long moment and then take a deep breath. "Do you know how long Carter is in here?"

Manny smirks, knowing that Jason wants revenge. "He has another year on his sentence."

"I'd like to add some more years to that or get rid of him altogether."

"I might be able to help you with that."

"We'll talk." Turning the guards against the man should be easy and then, framing him would be the next logical step. If they choose the right prisoner, the person's allies might just want revenge.

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Diane threw a balled up piece of paper across the room. "Dammit!"

Johnny entered the room. "That good?"

"Uh, this is so frustrating."

"Well, then you'll be happy to see me then."

Her head tilted. "What do you have for me?"

"Well, Nick was able to uncover a trail from the witness to Sonny. There's no proof he's on the take, but it's enough to make things doubtful."

"Excellent!"

"And, I managed to flirt my way into the heart of a guard at a business nearby. They are building a new extension and have cameras there that no one knows about. She agreed to check it out for me. By tomorrow, I might have some video of what really transpired in that alley."

Diane clapped her hands together. "That would be all we need to get him out."

"I'm on it."

"Well done…"

Johnny left the office with a smile. Hopefully, Jason will be free within the next month.

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Eating dinner with the general population had been harder than Jason thought it would be. He was constantly taunted by the other inmates, led by Carter. They threw things and talked about his ass. It made him want to annihilate all for them, but they have no idea that it is having an effect because his cold persona won out over his temper and he ate his food and never gave them any indication that he was intimidated or scared.

Manny sat across from him. "Well played…"

The other inmates had backed off when Manny and a few of his cohorts sat at Jason's table. It is important that Jason shows his resolve, so they had decided that he would eat alone for a while before Manny joined him.

"I want to cut off his dick and make him choke on it," Jason said as Carter laughed loudly.

"While I would love to see that, but we want out of here, right?"

Jason shrugged.

"You just don't get it, do you?"

Ignoring him, Jason continued to eat.

"You don't belong in here and punishing yourself isn't the answer. It just makes you look like a fool."

Jason glares at him and then takes a sip of his drink.

"Use your brain, Jason. You need to fight. If you don't, they will eat you alive in here. You will be raped, tortured, and then killed. If you really think that is what you deserve, then so be it, but I think you know that you were wrong to just lay down and let Sonny screw you over. Get out of here and show that fucker what you're truly made of. Make everyone fear you and know not to ever fuck with you again. You have the cojones most of the time, but you're self-esteem sucks. Own who you are and you'll get anything you want, but the man you have become—you can't think that man is who you want or deserve to be. You have some thinking to do, my friend."

He couldn't look up at him because Manny is right and Jason is not quite ready to acknowledge just how much he has epically failed.

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Francis entered the house and found Nicole and the baby in the backyard.

"Hey," she said as Alaina's face lit up.

Francis took the baby from her and gave Nicole and Alaina a kiss on the cheek.

"Hey."

"What's going on?"

"I got a visitor today."

"Who?"

"Dad."

Nicole's shoulders slightly slumped. "Oh."

"It's not what you think."

She rolled her eyes. "Where is he?"

"He's at the Metro Court, but he wants to see you and meet the baby."

"Why should I care, Francis? I'm just a reminder of my mom, someone who hurt him deeply. That's not going to change."

"He said that he wanted to make things right, but it's your choice. If you don't want to see him, don't."

Nicole sighed. "I want Alaina to have as much family as she can around her, but if he's going to belittle my choices or be mean to me in front of her, then the answer is no."

"Talk to him and set the rules. If he can't behave, then he doesn't get to see her."

"You make it sound so simple. You know how he is."

Francis grinned at the baby who is entranced by a flower. "I do, that is why I'm telling you to be firm. The minute he screws up, make him leave. It might take a few times, but in the end, he'll get it. The bottom line is whether or not you want to deal with it."

She sighed. "I can't go back to the way it was. Between the rebelliousness and wanting him to love me, I made a lot of mistakes. I want to be a better person for my daughter and me."

Francis gave her a side hug. "You are a better person. No matter what happened, you fought and won. Anyone who can't appreciate how hard you've worked to get your life back doesn't deserve to be around you. I love you."

She sandwiched the baby between them as she hugged her brother fully and they laughed when Alaina squealed with delight. "Set it up for tomorrow—here."

"Okay."

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Lucky strode into the diner and his eyes settled on Elizabeth. He slightly smiled and then sat in her section.

She moved towards him, trying to pretend that his presence has no effect on her.

"Hey," he said with a smile.

"Hi, Lucky."

"Can I have a number three with a coke?"

"Sure…"

She moved away, surprised that he is acting normally; like nothing happened. When the order was ready, she put his plate down. "Do you need anything else?"

"Can we talk on your break?"

"I guess."

He smiled again and she turned and moved to another table. Rico watched from the corner of the room. Johnny had explained how dangerous the younger man might be, so Rico decides to be extra cautious.

When her break finally came, they moved outside and Rico followed.

Lucky noticed him but made no comment.

"Are you okay now?" Liz asked.

"I'm fine."

"I take it you don't remember what happened?"

"No, I don't. I'm sorry if I worried you."

"Regardless of our current status, I still care about you."

"That's good to know." He let out a long breath. "I'm having problems dealing with everything. Helena has cost me so much and it's going to take some time for me to get used it."

Liz sighed and touched his hand which he gripped. "I've had a year to try and get over you and you spent it thinking about being with me. I know this is going to be really hard for you."

His eyes pricked with tears. "I'm scared. We think she did something to me and what if it changes me forever? What if she makes me do bad things?"

A tear ran down her cheek. "I can't even imagine how you are feeling right now. It will take time, but maybe you can see a therapist that specializes in this kind of thing. You probably have PTSD too. Lucky, I was so wrong not to go to the hospital and get professional help. I really regret it."

"I think I failed you there too."

"I don't blame you. I think that under the circumstances, you did the best you could."

"I didn't mind being there for you. In fact, I don't regret it either."

"I regret that I ever went to that park."

"It changed us."

Liz briefly closed her eyes. "Tragedy bought us together, but I can't help but wonder if all of that hadn't of happened, would we even have connected? You didn't want me. You wanted Sarah."

Lucky tensed up. "I will never think of loving you as a mistake. I hate Helena so much. If she wouldn't have taken me away, we'd still be okay and probably married by now."

"That doesn't mean it would have ended okay."

He smacked the table, making Rico move forward.

Liz held up her hand so he'd stop.

"Dammit, Elizabeth! Am I that horrible? Is thinking about me like you used so bad?"

"I'm sorry, but I can't go backward." She stood and then wiped another tear away. "Maybe it's best that we stay away from each other until you can come to terms with this."

A tortured moan left his lips as he rose to his feet. "Please, don't do this. I really need you right now. Why can't you be there for me like I was for you?"

"Because it will just torture you, don't you see? Being around me is just going to hurt you even more than you're already are."

Tears are now streaming down his face. "I don't know what to do with all this love I have for you."

"I felt that way after you left. It took time, Lucky. I have to go back inside. Let your family and Emily and Nikolas be there for you and support you. I hope that maybe soon we can be friends again. Goodbye, Lucky."

She started to move away and he grabbed her and pulled her against him and kissed her until he was ripped away from her by Rico and slammed against a wall.

"Rico, it's okay. Let him go," Liz said before rushing inside.

"If you hurt her, I'll kill you. You heard her, Spencer. Stay away and there won't be any trouble." He pushed Lucky one more time and then moved back into the diner, his eyes searching until he saw her dart into the bathroom. When she came out several minutes later, her eyes rimmed with red, he sat and then pulled out his phone and reported back to Johnny.