A/N – Thanks for the comments! I don't know that Audrey is really okay with Elizabeth being with Jason. What parent-figure would? He's a hitman lol. She's trying to be supportive, but at this point, she isn't a cheerleader.

Happy Halloween!

Chapter 23

When it was time for Piph to leave, Francis walked her out to her car. It had been a nice evening full of laughter and stories. He couldn't remember the last time they had a gathering like that. Even his dad seemed very relaxed and had gotten along well with Epiphany.

"So, will there be a second date?" Francis asked.

"I don't know. Are you going to ask me?"

His blue eyes danced. "I thought it was your turn."

Her brow rose sassily, making him chuckle and reach out to touch her face. "I would love to go out with you again."

"That's more like it. In that case, I would be happy to accept."

"You've got yourself a date then. I just need to figure out where we are going."

"It doesn't have to be fancy."

They had moved closer without even realizing it. The back of his thumb brushed against her lip and then he slowly lowered his head, pausing before connecting, but when he did, the kiss was everything. She reached up to pull him closer and laid one on him and he eagerly returned it.

"You're very good at that."

She smirked. "Can I ask you a question?"

He nodded as he continued to stare at her mouth.

"Have you ever broken a bed?"

His gaze snapped to hers. "I don't think so."

"See, there is always room for improvement."

He laughed. "Is there a class I can take to prepare?"

She grinned. "In my bedroom, but it will take you a while to get there."

"I'm known for being a patient man, but I do have my limits."

She winked before slipping away from him and getting into the car. "So do I…"

Amused, he watched her drive away before turning to go into the house. The kiss definitely tweaked his interest. Epiphany Johnson is one of the most intriguing women he had met in a long time.

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Sonny closed the door to Michael's bedroom leaving it slightly cracked. It had taken a long time to get him to fall asleep and he had a feeling the boy is going to have nightmares. He went downstairs where Carly is having a drink. She had been doing that a lot more lately, but he is too self-absorbed to notice.

"He's asleep."

"Do you know who did it?"

"No, but Ronnie is looking into it. Thank God that he was there."

She nodded and then sat on the couch.

"Are you going to tell me what is bothering you?"

"I'm fine, Sonny."

He chuckled. "You haven't been fine since Jason went to jail. I don't think I'll ever understand why you worship him the way you do."

"He accepted me warts and all."

"And you don't think I do?"

She took a long swig from her drink. "Sonny, I serve a purpose for you and it works for us. I don't pretend it's something else."

"I know Jason hurt you."

She paused and her hand slightly shook as she took a sip. "He didn't mean it."

"And what if he did?"

Tears pricked her eyes. "Then I'll have to live with the fact that I hurt him so badly."

"Jason made his own choices and he'll live or die by them. I gave him a chance and he spat in my face. It is what it is. Don't let him ruin your life."

She tried to squelch her tears, realizing that she is trapped with a man who will never admit he's wrong and will roll over anyone in his way. Ultimately, she had made the worst mistake and there is no way to fix this or save Jason or herself. Pouring herself another drink, she bitterly realized that she probably won't survive this relationship so she'd just numb the pain and spend as much of Sonny's money as he will allow. "To Jason," she said before gulping down the glass and then slamming it onto the table. "I'm going to bed."

He eyed her as she left and then sighed heavily. Hopefully, Carly won't be a problem and she loves money more than her ex-friend.

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Lucky watched Bobbie close down the diner and then waited until she took out the trash and right when she turned to back inside, he stealthily moved behind her and held a gun to her head, making her gasp.

"What do you want? I don't have any cash."

"Shut up! I need to send a message."

She can tell he's disguising his voice. "What?"

"Tell your brother that he's living on borrowed time and soon the queen will call in her marker on his soul."

Bobbie frowned. "Helena?"

She is struck on the head and then he laid her on the ground and then he took off down the alley so he could return to his Queen after successfully completing another mission.

When Bobbie finally woke up, she's in the hospital after being found by a homeless man a few hours later.

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Laura turns to face her husband. "I sent Lulu to my mother's. I'm not sure what is going on, but I think they are targeting you and people around you." Bobbie being attacked had thrown them for a loop.

Luke scratched the back of his head. "She'll be safer there. It was a good call."

"Lucky is nowhere to be found. I left him a message. I'm so worried and scared for him."

"Helena is taking this too far. I need to end this."

Laura rolled her eyes. "You have never been able to end that sick relationship and she's not going to stop this time. God knows what she is planning or what she has done to our son. I think we should warn Elizabeth. Helena might use her to get back at us."

"I don't think Elizabeth is on her radar right now."

"You don't know that. If she is still controlling our son in any way, she could use Elizabeth to do so and after all she has been through, she doesn't deserve to have to deal with that psycho."

"What do you want me to do?" He stretches, still a little sore from the explosion.

"Maybe we should try to send her away for a while too. It would destroy Lucky if something happened to her."

"I don't think she'll leave. She has changed, Laura, and has grown a backbone. I can warn her, but I don't know if it will do any good."

"Warn who?" Lucky asked before moving closer. "I got your message."

"Where were you?"

He sighed. "I had taken a drive. How is she?"

"She's traumatized, but stable. They are keeping her overnight for observation."

"So, who were you talking about?"

Luke moved closer. "We think that Helena might try to hurt Elizabeth."

Lucky flinched. "I'll talk to her."

"Are you sure?" He understands how difficult this situation is and how Lucky is struggling with the changes.

"Yes. I'll go call her right now." He strode across the room and then moved into the stairwell and dialed.

"Hello?"

"Hey, can we meet? It's important."

"I'm actually working because of what happened to Bobbie. I have a break in a half-hour, but I need to run to G.H. to get some medicine for Piph."

"I'll meet you at there then. We can go to the roof." He just hopes that he can get through to her because he doesn't trust Helena."

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Elizabeth slightly smiles when she spots Lucky. It's hard not to since it's a miracle he's alive and it's also a relief that he has backed off and isn't pressing her to get back together as much. It had been hard to enjoy his return when she felt so guilty and torn. She had missed him so much and hopes they can have some kind of friendship when all is said and done.

"Hey,"

She pressed the button for the elevator. "What's up?"

"My dad is worried."

The elevator started to move.

"About?"

The car jerks and they stare for a moment before realizing they are stuck.

"Shit. I heard a nurse saying that maintenance had been called earlier but they had assured her that it had been fixed." She pushed a button.

"Someone will be right there," a voice said.

"Okay. Thanks."

Liz shook her head.

"What happened to the nurse?"

"She said she briefly got stuck, but then it mysteriously started working again. Leyla said they ordered some dohicky."

He smirked. "Dohicky?"

She grinned. "Yes. So, what's going on?"

"My dad thinks that Helena will come after you."

"Why?"

"Her minions seem to be hurting people that are involved with the diner or our family. He thinks that Helena is sending a message, so we sent Lulu away."

She sighed. "I'm not going away. I have too much going on."

"And I told them you would say that."

"Sorry, but if Helena wants me, she'll get to me no matter what. Running won't help."

Lucky nodded. "I'm sorry. I feel like this is all my fault."

"You're a victim in all this too, so I don't blame you. Now, how did your tests come out?"

"They didn't see anything like a chip, but who knows. She has her ways."

"Maybe she just used drugs and hypnosis. The drugs wouldn't show up if she stopped them before you came back."

He shrugged. "It just sucks."

"Are you still losing time?"

He nodded.

"Why do people like her even get to breathe?"

"I wish I knew the answer to that."

"Do you think she did something to the elevator?"

"It's possible, but I'm not sure what her motive would be."

The car jerked and Liz reached out and grabbed Lucky's arm.

They apprehensibly waited and then it started to move.

"Thank God."

It shuddered again and then plummeted as Liz screamed and Lucky pulled her against him.

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Felix ran towards the screaming and then heard a thud. His eyes darted wildly as security pushed him aside and tried to pry open the doors.

Kelly ran towards them. "What happened?"

"I think the elevator just fell and someone is in there."

"Oh my God," she said before grabbing another nurse. "Bring a couple of gurneys and page Leo. We might have injuries.

She nodded and ran.

"Do you know who is in there?"

"Her name is Elizabeth."

Felix's mouth dropped open. "Damn." He had seen Liz when she had first arrived.

The fire department rushed in and got the door open. "It stopped before the basement. Hello in there!"

Lucky groaned and then pushed himself up. "Hello?"

"Who are you?"

"Lucky Spencer. I'm in here with Elizabeth Webber. She's unconscious." He moved towards her and felt her pulse. "I think she passed out."

"I'm coming down."

The fireman climbed to the car and removed the top panel.

Lucky looked up.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes."

"I'm Doug." He reached up for a transport and then lowered it through the hole. "Take this."

Lucky grabbed it and then laid it next to Liz as Doug dropped inside.

"What floor are we on?"

"We're in the basement."

Lucky nodded. At least if it fell again, it wouldn't have far to go.

He stabilized Liz's neck and then they lifted her and put her on it and strapped her in. "Alright, lower the cable," he said looking up.

It came into view and Doug hooked it to the transport and then it is pulled and he directed it towards the opening. Once she clears it, she is tugged through it and then out of the shaft where she is immediately placed on a gurney as she starts to stir.

Leo took her vitals. "You're okay, Elizabeth."

Her eyes snapped open. "Lucky!"

"He's fine and almost out."

Her eyes pricked with tears. "What happened."

"The elevator fell, but stopped before it hit the bottom."

She paused for a moment. "I remember."

They pushed her into a bay. "We just want to check you out. Does anything hurt?"

"No. It was just scary."

"I can't even imagine."

Lucky ran into the room. "Elizabeth! Are you okay?"

"I think so."

"Her blood pressure is a little high, but I think she's fine. I just want her to lay here for a little bit."

"Thank God."

He moved closer and grabbed her hand.

"Did you get checked out?"

He slightly smiled. "Yes. I'm fine."

"We'll take the stairs next time."

He laughed. "Okay."

Felix moved into the room and handed Elizabeth his phone.

"Hello?"

"I can't leave you alone for five minutes and you get into trouble. Honestly! What am I going to do with you, Webber?"

Liz grinned. "I'm fine. Doug, the cute fireman, saved me."

Piph laughed. "You hussy."

"It's not like I got mouth to mouth."

Lucky is listening, surprised that she's being flirty.

"I would have."

"As soon as they are finished holding me hostage, I'll bring you the meds."

"Thank you and please be careful. I'm going to bubble wrap you when you get here."

Liz chuckled. "See you soon." She handed the phone back.

"Well, I'm glad you're okay," Felix said.

"Me too."

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Lucky met Helena in the catacombs.

"Please tell me that you had nothing to do with the elevator almost crashing."

Helena smirked. "Now Lucky, why would I care what you do with Elizabeth Webber?"

His eyes narrowed. "So, it was you. Why?"

"I thought you needed some alone time."

His mouthed slightly dropped open. "But you almost killed us."

"Now you know nothing ever happens that I don't want to happen. The situation was under control."

"Elizabeth could have been hurt."

Helena rolled her eyes. "Your precious Elizabeth is a lot stronger than you give her credit for."

"Can we leave her out of this?"

"How can I because she is the key to keeping you in line."

"She doesn't want me anymore."

"With the right incentive, she just might again."

His head tiled. "What are you planning to do?"

"Patience, Lucky, you'll find out soon enough."

"Are you going to kill Jason?"

She laughed. "I'm not going to do anything. Jason is in jail. He can't hurt you."

"She refuses to give up on him."

"Well, I guess you better use that Spencer charm to get her back."

"I've done everything that you've asked me to do. Can you just try to leave her alone?"

"You worry too much. You're going to get early wrinkles."

He watched her walked away. "Is that all?"

"For now."

He made it out of the catacombs as fast as he could.

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Nikolas watched as Elizabeth stood and tried to stretch before noticing him.

"Hey."

"Hi. I just wanted to check on you. Are they letting you go home?"

"Yes. Felix went to get my paperwork."

He moved closer and then hugged her. "I'm glad you're okay."

"Me too. Listen, we really need to talk about me and Lucky."

Nik sighed. "Do you really want to do this now?"

"I have time."

"Fine…" He sat across from her.

"I need to know that you are my friend too, that you don't just have Lucky's best interest at heart."

His brows rose. "Wow, I wasn't expecting that."

"Nikolas, I'm not going to get back with your brother. It's over."

"You didn't even give him a chance. I don't understand. One minute you would have given anything to get him back and then the next, you don't want anything to do with him."

"That's not true. I really hope to be his friend eventually."

"Friendship? He's in love you. Do you understand what you are asking?"

"You know what hurts? You are only thinking of him and his wants and need. I get that he is your brother, but I have feelings too. I ached and grieved. Hell, I balled my eyes out for months. It took a toll on me and when I finally start to live again, he's back and while I'm glad he's alive, his timing sucked."

Nik smirked.

"It's not fair to him for me to pretend or go through the motions when I'm not in love with him. He deserves better than that and so do I. Your brother needs help. He's barely holding it together and his issues are more than I know how to handle. I can't be expected to do that all on my own. I want to support him, but not be with him. And while I get that is a shock to everyone, can you just take a second to think about my needs?"

Nik sighed his eyes pricked with tears. "You know that I love you, Elizabeth. This is a lot to take in. I'm reeling from him coming back and then you did a three-sixty that I never anticipated. It's not that I don't care about what you want, I'm just shocked you don't want him anymore and that you weren't even open to the idea of trying to make things work. Wouldn't you feel the same way if Lucky and Emily were in this situation and you had witnessed our love and bond? Wouldn't you at least have a conversation with me questioning it?"

"You're right, I would and we are, but it still seems like you're not hearing me."

"I am, it's just hard to accept it, but I just need time to wrap my brain around it."

"I need more than that."

"What else do you need?" He loves her and doesn't want to lose her friendship.

"Don't encourage Lucky where I'm concerned or you'll just make things worse."