A/N – Thanks for the comments! Putting Manny and Emily together would seem hard in this one because of the age difference. Emily is only 18 and a little immature. Not sure Manny at 30 would even be into that. We'll see how it flows. I wasn't even sure if I was pairing Emily with anyone in this fic. I had one person in mind…maybe…that involves a surprise character later on because their age would be closer and thought it might work. What are your thoughts? In the other fic she was older and more mature and it worked.

I know sometimes I tackle hard situations and it's a hard read, but I can't help but wonder what would have happened if Jason had gotten help after the accident? How would he have developed emotionally and then how would that affect Liason? Same thing with Liz, how would she be if she hadn't been stuck on stupid re: Lucky and if she had a friend in her life that encouraged and helped her heal. Epiphany has such a powerful energy and I love using her as the catalyst for healing and change.

Chapter 21

Luke gasped as the smoke crept into his lungs. His eyes are red and tearing as he tries to make his way to an exit. Everything was fine and then it exploded before his eyes. After stopping to hack, he finally makes it through a hatch and he can see lights flashing as they approach. Another explosion goes off, shifting the boat off its moorings as black smoke melded with the darkness of the night. He can feel himself falling and then, everything faded away as he plunged into the water.

Cruz ran towards the water and dove in, fighting the heat when he had to rise to the surface and take a breath and on the third dive, he grabbed Lukes' body and swam towards the docks where someone grabbed the man and pulled him out.

Wearily, he allows two of his coworkers to fish him out and he lays on his back as he hacks up some water. His head lops to the side and he watches as they perform CPR on Luke.

"I've got a pulse," someone yells. He's quickly carted off.

"You okay?" Marcus asked.

"Yeah."

The boat creaks as it starts to sink.

"Do you think someone set it?"

Cruz sits up. "It sure smells like explosives, but who knows. Hopefully, Luke will survive so he can tell us what happened."

"We probably won't be able to get divers into the water until tomorrow. Hopefully, he was alone." He helps Cruz stand. "Let's get you checked out."

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After hearing about Luke, Elizabeth notified Rico that she wants to go to her studio and while he was hesitant, she assured him that Lucky would not be in any condition to hurt her.

When she opened the door, she spots him on the floor in a fetal position crying. "Lucky…"

He whimpered and she slowly moved towards him.

Rico stood at the door watching, making sure that Lucky didn't do anything stupid.

When she slipped to the floor, their gaze connected and he moved his head onto her lap as she stroked his hair.

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

"I just felt like you needed me."

His eyes closed. "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have kissed you. In my mind, I just wanted it to be like it was before."

"I know, but you just can't do that again, okay?" He's so fragile and she wonders how much more he can take before he breaks.

"Okay."

"Did you go to the hospital to see your dad?"

"I couldn't stay there. It just reminded me of the room Helena had me in and I started to freak out."

She can't even imagine what he had been through. "I'll see if I can get in to see him later."

"Thank you."

He sniffed and sat up and then grabbed his head.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm not sure."

Her head tilted. "What's wrong?"

"I can't remember anything after I saw you."

The hairs on her arms stood. This is not good. "How long have you been blacking out?"

"I lose time here and there. I think it's something Helena did to me."

She sighed. "Oh Lucky…"

"I know." He stood and fished her key out of his pocket.

Hesitantly she took it from him. "Where are you going to go?"

"I think I'll rent a room at Kelly's for a while." It hurts too much to be around her.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I'm a mess and it isn't safe for me to be around you until I know what she did." While he remembers killing Tammy, he doesn't know what happened the night before and it had made him sick thinking that Helena had made him hurt his own father. If she could do that, then she could make him hurt Liz as well. He feels like he can't control his feelings or reactions. Knowing he killed someone should tear him apart, but it's like he can't connect with it.

Liz's eyes clouded with tears. "I wish things could be different." If she could, she'd kill Helena herself for what she had done.

"Me too…" He sadly moved towards the door as Rico stepped to the side. "I'll let you know where I'm at."

"Thank you."

He met her gaze. "No, thank you, Elizabeth—for everything."

As soon as the door shut, Rico moved to Liz's side and helped her stand. "You okay?"

"This is heartbreaking. No one should have to go through what he is experiencing and it's hard for me to step back after all we've been through."

"If you don't mind me saying, I think you're doing the best you can. He needs to get his head on straight and it's best that he doesn't rely on you because he won't be able to stop loving you if he does."

"I know. My head is there but my heart—it's hard letting go even when you know you should."

"Don't be so hard on yourself," he said moving towards the doorway. "Take as long as you need to. I'll be outside."

"Thank you, Rico."

"Any time, Elizabeth."

She sighed as the door closed and sat on the couch. What a mess.

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Manny had to go work in the infirmary and much to his chagrin, Jason was given a job in the laundry room. Everything was good until two of Carter's goons pushed him into the corner. One of Manny's men managed to slip out to get help.

Carter appeared and approached him with a grin on his face. "Hello, Jason."

Jason's eyes narrowed as he struggled against the men holding him.

"Our time was cut short last time, but Manny isn't here to save you."

A few men moved in front of the doorway.

Carter put his hand on Jason's chest and slowly slid it downward. "I'm going to enjoy taking you. The more you struggle, the more it will hurt."

"Fuck you."

He is punched in his stomach but still manages to hold Carter's gaze. When Carter's hand grips his dick, Jason growls and headbutts him, making him stumble backward.

Manny's men arrive and quickly do away with the guards in the doorway and he eyed the two men holding Jason. "If you want to walk out of this room alive, you'll let him go."

Everyone else had already fled, so the men quickly dropped Jason's arms and made a run for it.

"Sucks being you, doesn't it?" Manny said just before Jason's fist slammed into Carter's face, dropping him to the floor.

"Jason, go."

Jason gazed at Manny like he was crazy, making him laugh.

"Seriously, you need to go. My men will handle this. Remember, you need to stay out of trouble."

After one last glare to Carter, Jason begrudgingly left.

"Now, do you remember what I told you the last time you tried to rape him?"

Carter rolled his eyes. "You won't risk it. You're almost out of here."

Manny smirked. "Emmanuel and Jorge are in for life and they don't like rapists. In fact, they hate them."

Carter's gaze flits between the two men.

"You're going to leave this area dickless and bleed out. No one will find you."

Carter starts to jump up and is immediately grabbed. Duct tape is slapped across his mouth and then his hands are tied between his back.

A chair is slid towards them and then his legs are opened and then his ankles are duct taped to the chair.

"It's amazing how many uses you can get out of duct tape. Oh, and by the way, thanks for covering the cameras. By the time they realize there is a problem, you'll be dead." Manny walks away as the sound of ripping pants permeates his ears. "Karma is a bitch."

Once he is gone, Emmanuel takes out a homemade knife.

"I hope this hurts a lot, you asshole."

The moment the knife touched his penis, Carter's eyes grow wide and then all he felt was pain and he tried to scream, but couldn't. Emmanuel took his time to prolong the agony and by the time the dick was tossed aside, Carter had passed out twice but had been smacked awake. Tears poured down his face as they grinned and watched the blood flow onto the floor.

Emmanuel wiped the knife on Carter's clothes and then the men hurried from the room to go hide the weapons and then made their way back to the common area. About ten minutes later, there was chaos and everyone had to go back to their cell. Carter was found alive, but he had lost too much blood and died a short time later.

"Thank you," Jason said from his bunk. This whole experience had been surreal, while he escaped being actually raped, he understands Elizabeth a little more and how horrible it must have been for her. The fact that he had been exposed before and touched completely disgusted him, but he's thankful that it didn't go further. That would have screwed up his head for life.

"He was scum and deserved everything he got."

"I just wish I could have done it."

Manny smirked. "I understand."

"I really need to get the fuck out of here."

Manny chuckled. "It's about time you really believe that."

"I couldn't see past what happened. I still think it's my fault, and I'm still going to stay away from her because of Sonny, but being in here is not solving anything. Besides, I have no desire to be anyone's bitch." He'll burn Sonny to the ground before he'd allow him to hurt Epiphany again.

Laughter escapes Manny's mouth. "I'm right with you on that. What are you going to do when you get out?"

"I don't know. I guess I need to have a conversation with Francis. I'm not sure what he expects."

"He's fair and even-tempered. If you decide to work for him, I think you'll be happy."

"I need to deal with Sonny first."

"I think you should figure out if you want to work for Francis first and then if you decide to, let him help you. He's smart and I'm sure he already has a plan for Sonny. You don't want to ruin all his hard work and get on his bad side."

Jason sighed. "Alright…"

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Francis signed another invoice and then leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. Running a huge business is tough, but he wouldn't want to do anything else. It's what he had trained for and wanted for years. Right now, he needs to focus in on Sonny and start doing things to undermine his shipments while making it look like someone else is doing it. With Jason gone, Joe Skully has started shooting his mouth off and he is the perfect person to take the fall.

Someone cleared their throat and his snapped open and fixed on the doorway.

"Sleeping on the job?" Epiphany asked as she slowly moved into the room carrying a bag.

He smirked. "I was just contemplating. How are you?" He stood and motioned for her to take his chair, making her smile.

"I'm getting better every day." She isn't back to work, but she's making sure she improves her stamina by keeping busy when she can.

"That's good to hear." He sits across from her. "How can I help you?"

"I wanted to thank you for helping with Jason. We're making great progress."

"You don't have to go out of your way to thank me."

"I know, but it's my way. Besides, I hear you're not the best at stopping and eating, so I thought we could eat together."

He smiled and then stood and cleared his desk.

She sat some containers on the counter. "I don't know what you like."

"I'll eat just about everything unless it's something whacky."

She smirked. "Define whacky?"

He took the fork she held out. "Like bugs or brains…"

She made a face. "Yeah, that will never happen."

He opened the lid and groaned. "That looks so good."

"It's a smothered pork chop with my famous mac and cheese and some greens."

He sniffed the air dramatically before digging in, moaning on the first bite.

"I'm glad you like it."

"My taste buds are doing a happy dance right now."

She chuckled as she took a bite of her salad.

He frowned. "Why are you eating a salad?"

"I worked too hard to get my weight down. I'm feeling good about it and don't want to ruin it. Don't worry, I don't feel deprived. This salad is the bomb."

He smiled. "As long as you're happy…"

"I am. Jason was helping me before everything went to hell."

"So, why aren't you taken?"

She shrugged. "Maybe men find me intimating, but I have a lot of layers."

"I'm sure you do."

"And you?"

"I'm a workaholic and just taking over the business. I don't have a lot of time."

"I work a lot too, but something that I've learned is that work will always be there, but relationships need nourishing. You have to be willing to put some effort into them like you do your work."

He wiped his mouth and then sipped his drink. "Do you want some water?"

She nodded and he grabbed a bottle out of a small refrigerator.

"When I first started this, I knew that I had to focus on the business, so I just avoided looking."

"And now?"

His eyes lit up. "You intrigue me."

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"May I cook for you tomorrow night?"

She smiled. "You cook?"

"Yes. I'm very good. Italian is my specialty. Just let me know what you don't want."

"I'm game. I've been very good and one night is not going to set me back. I'm open to whatever you're willing to prepare."

"I promise you that everything will be fresh ingredients."

"You are an interesting man, Francis Corelli."

He shrugged. "I have simple tastes for the most part, aside from my car addiction."

"Classic?"

"I have some and I like speed too, so I own a few race cars."

Her eyes grew big. "Really?"

"It relaxes me. I have a boat as well."

"I like going out on the water. It's very calming."

They heard voices and Francis's father walked in.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"It 's fine, pop. This is Epiphany Johnson. She's the head nurse over at General Hospital and a friend. Epiphany, this is my father, Frank."

Epiphany wiped her hand and then shook his. "It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise…" He eyed the food. "That looks delicious."

She produced another container.

"You sure?" He asked looking between them.

Francis moved down and his father sat next to him and Epiphany handed him a fork.

"Thank you." He's not sure what to think and wonders how Francis ended up befriending a nurse, but after one bite, he is sold. "This is outstanding."

Piph smiled "Thank you. I wanted to thank your son for his help and I had brought extra in case Diane was here."

Frank finished chewing. "She'd have to fight me for this. Where did you learn to cook?"

"My mother and grandmother were very good in the kitchen. Between comfort food and baking, there wasn't a lot of talk at the dinner table."

He grinned before eating some more.

"Well, I'm glad they taught you," Francis said finishing up. "I thoroughly enjoyed that."

"So, how do you two know each other?"

Francis isn't surprised by his father's curiosity. "Well, we think Sonny tried to send Jason a message and unfortunately, Epiphany was caught in the crossfire and was shot. She's friends with Jason."

Frank's brow rose. "Are you okay?"

"I'm doing much better. It will take a while to heal, but I'm tough."

"Well, I'm glad that you're going to be fine."

She finished her salad and put the container in the bag. "I'm afraid I can't stay long. I have a follow-up appointment."

Francis stood and moved to her side when she stood and gave her a hug. "Thanks again."

"Anytime…"

"I'll see you tomorrow night."

Frank's head tilted. "What's tomorrow night."

"Pops…"

Epiphany grinned. "Your son—" She paused because Francis's eyes grew wide and wondered why he was freaking out. "Explain…"

Francis sighed. "If you tell him, then he'll invite himself."

She giggled. "I see. You wanted me all to yourself?"

"I don't even know if that's possible. When Nicole smells it cooking, there may be no holding her back."

Frank slowly smiled. "You're cooking?"

"Yeah."

"What time?"

Epiphany cracked up. "I don't mind sharing you this time, but next time…"

"Deal!"

She maneuvered around him. "It was nice meeting you," she said to Frank before turning her attention back to Francis, "and I'll see you tomorrow night."

Frank wiped his hands and then gave her a hug. "I'll look forward to it."

She left and Francis took her seat, cleaning up a little.

"She's nice."

Francis met his father's gaze. "Yes."

Frank laughed. "Is that all you're going to say?"

"Yes."

"Well, she's not your normal type, but I can tell she'll certainly give you a run for your money. I like her."

Francis shook his head. "I'm so glad I have your approval."

"It might be hard at first."

"Why? If it's because she's black…" He would never refuse to date someone because of their skin color and if anyone said anything about it, he'd put the fear of God into them.

Frank frowned. "There will always be haters out there, but that's not what I meant. I know she's been shot, but if you get serious, it's quite a lifestyle change." The Italian mafia usually kept things Italian, but things had been changing in that realm as the younger people did what they want, shunning tradition.

"I know and I'm a little worried about that, but this is new and who knows, she might wise up and decide that I'm not good enough for her."

"You are the best and I don't think she would have even come here if she thought differently." He likes that Francis doesn't want some slutty, vapid chick on his arm and is giving a woman with substance a chance.

"Thanks, pop. You better behave tomorrow night."

Frank laughed. "Does Nicole know?"

"She has met Epiphany, but she doesn't know I plan on dating her."

"Well, I'll try to be good. I don't want to piss your sister off right now. I think we're making progress."

"Good."