A/N - Thanks for the comments! * kikimoo – Katherine is not married. The man is Kylie's father and the mother is Katherine's sister. Agree re: John. Helena is both. * Naxie – you already know who he is. I mentioned it in chapter 19. His name is Jake. He was an actual character on the show along with Katherine's sister Danielle. I just got creative with their history.
Chapter 26
Patrick put down his phone.
"What happened?" Epiphany asked. She had one more day left in the hospital.
He told her and she was not a happy camper.
"Felix says that she is fine. I guess Jason stood up to her and made her come back to the house with him."
Piph's brow went up. "Really?"
"Yup."
She smiled. "Good."
"Are you playing matchmaker again?"
"Maybe."
"I kind of feel bad because I told Amelia to hold back regarding Kylie. We spotted some possible scar tissue from a prior injury. I probably should have called it in, but she didn't show any other signs of abuse and her and Katherine seemed like they had a loving relationship."
"Don't beat yourself up. Are you scared that Jeff is going to come down on you?"
"Maybe. I did violate protocol."
"Well, worse comes to worse, you'll just get suspended."
He made a face.
"If you had called it in, he might have gotten to her."
"Instead, he got to Elizabeth."
"Patrick…"
He stood. "I'll be right back." He needed to get some air.
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Johnny hustled a scared Kylie and Katherine into his car and then he took off.
"We don't have clothes."
"We'll figure something out. He might know where you live."
"I'm sorry that Elizabeth got hurt."
Johnny was really worried about her. "Me too."
"Do you feel like you betrayed her?"
"Yeah."
"I never wanted to put you in this position. We should have moved on."
"I don't regret meeting either one of you."
Katherine was scared that if Kylie had any issues, they wouldn't be able to get the help they needed. "Where are you taking us?"
"I was thinking to a cabin."
"You can't. We need quick access to the hospital just in case."
He quickly turned around. "I can stow you away in my apartment. Nobody would think to look for you there. We can enter on the ground level. It's close to the hospital."
"Okay."
"I need you to duck down more."
She laid on the seat with her niece holding onto her for dear life.
"Don't you worry. I will do anything to keep him away from you."
Kylie closed her eyes. Her worst nightmare had almost gotten to her and she just hoped that they would survive it.
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AJ sat Elizabeth down on the couch.
"Thanks for the ride."
"You're welcome."
Alice showed Jeff and Andrea where the bathroom was and then the kitchen.
Jason watched as Emily doted on Elizabeth and got her a pillow so she could lay down.
"You don't have to stay," she told her parents.
Andrea and Jeff looked at each other.
"Really. I'm just going to sleep. Go back to work."
Jeff sat on the edge of the couch. "I'm scared to let you out of my sight."
"Lila and Jason will take good care of me."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Can we come back later?"
Lila moved closer. "You're always welcome to come to dinner."
Jeff slightly smiled. "Thanks. Tonight we are on duty." He was going to call in, but when Elizabeth agreed to come to mansion, he left things stand.
"Well, you do take us up on the offer in the future, I have to warn you that we are a rowdy bunch."
"I think we can handle it."
AJ's brow arched. "Famous—last—words."
Emily shook her head. "Come on you. We have a date."
She dragged him out and Jeff and Andrea kissed their daughter and promised to come back later.
"How are they doing?" Lila asked.
"I'm not sure. I think they are going to marriage counseling."
"Well, I hope they can work it out."
"Me too."
"I'm going to go see what Cook is up too."
Alice followed her into the hallway.
Jason rolled closer.
"Don't look so worried."
"I can't help it. You could have been hurt really badly."
She reached out and touched his hand and he gripped it. "I'll be okay."
"I want to kick his ass."
He was smoldering and she bit her lip.
"What?"
"Nothing."
His head tilted.
"Jason, why don't you and Liz go upstairs? She'll be more comfortable and no one will interrupt her nap."
He nodded. "Can you get up?"
Alice moved forward. "I can help."
Liz groaned as she sat up.
"Did they give you a pain pill?"
"Yeah. It's in my purse."
Alice got her some water and then handed it to her.
Liz grabbed the bottle and took one.
"Alright, grip my arms."
Liz did so and Alice pulled her right about and then put her arm around her. They got into the elevator and soon Alice entered the room and then helped them get into bed.
"Thanks," Jason said.
"You're welcome. Yell if you need anything."
Liz shut her eyes as she laid against Jason.
"Rest. No one is going to hurt you again."
She muttered something and fell asleep.
He watched her for a long time before he finally drifted off.
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Patrick sent a text to Liz's phone and then jumped when Amelia touched his back. "Hey."
"How are you holding up?"
"I'm fine."
"You want to try again?"
He sighed. "Elizabeth was hurt because I told you to wait regarding Kylie."
"Patrick, it's not your fault. This is all on that asshole."
"She has been through enough. I'm hoping this doesn't push her over the edge."
"You're being too hard on yourself."
He just didn't agree. In his mind, he had inadvertently failed his friend.
"I'm taking a few weeks off."
Amelia was surprised. "Are you going away?"
"No. I'm going to take care of Epiphany."
Amelia grinned. "Does she know that?"
"Nope."
"When are you dropping that bomb?"
"Tomorrow, when I discharge her."
"Good luck with that."
"She needs help and I already moved some of my things into her apartment. I'm not giving her a choice."
"Perhaps you should rethink that. Look, it's her life and I know you're just trying to be good to her, but don't approach her so heavy-handedly. I know the caveman thing can be attractive at times, but when you almost lose your life, you're feeling vulnerable and there isn't a lot you have control over. Don't take her choices away. Trust me."
Patrick sighed. "I get what you're saying. Maybe part of me couldn't stand the rejection. You think you can hold down the fort while I'm gone?"
"I know I can because I am the new and improved version of you."
He shook his head. "Please. You can't touch this."
She touched his arm. "I just did."
"Try it again and see what happens."
She did and he grabbed her finger and them tickled her into submission.
"Okay! Stop!"
He chuckled as he helped her right herself. Their lips were dangerously close, but Patrick pulled back and stood up, slightly confusing her. "I should go back."
"Okay."
She watched him leave, not sure if Patrick was attracted to her or not.
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Johnny put a sleeping Kylie down on a day bed in his second bedroom which served as an office. Katherine covered her up and then they went into the living room.
"The bed pulls out. I'll change my sheets and you guys can stay in my room and I'll stay in there."
"Johnny, I can't ask you to give up your bedroom. We can fit on there."
"I just want her to be comfortable."
"She'll be fine."
He watched her walk over to the window. "Talk to me."
"I've protected her with my life. I'm just so tired of looking over my shoulder or wondering if my sister is still alive."
"She chose that life."
"But Kylie didn't. I can't save Danielle, but I can save Kylie."
"What happens after Jake is captured? Will Kylie go back with her?"
A tear escaped as Katherine turns towards him. "I don't know. I may not have a choice but to give her back. I love her like she is my own. I just—Danielle needs help."
"Come here." He held her as she finally broke down.
"You uprooted your life to protect her and she's a great kid. I see by the way she looks at you that she loves you too. If you're not within sight, she starts to panic. You've formed this bond that no one else can break. I think Kylie knows that she's been better off with you."
"She has been through a lot watching her mother be beaten and do drugs at times."
"Do you think that she's doing drugs now?"
"From time to time, yes. He injects her."
Johnny closed his eyes. It sounded like her sister was living in terror and hopelessness. "Whatever happens, you have me as a friend."
She pulled back and looked up at him. "Why?"
"Because, I want you and Kylie to have a normal life. You deserve it." He wiped a few tears off her cheek.
They stared at each other for a moment and then their heads moved closer and they kissed.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. I know that you're still not over Elizabeth."
"It was okay. I mean, it was unexpected, but I am attracted to you. I just need some time. I don't want you to be a rebound."
"Okay."
He kissed her on the forehead. "Thank you."
Her head settled against his chest again. "Thank you."
He just needed to get his head together. His first response when something good or bad happened was to call Elizabeth and that just wasn't an option anymore.
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Patrick walked back into Epiphany's room. "I have a surgery in a half hour."
"For what?"
"Just relieving pressure from a hematoma."
"You'll be perfect as usual."
He sat next to her. "You ready to leave tomorrow?"
"Hell yeah."
"I have a request."
"What's that?"
"Let me take care of you."
"Patrick…"
"I'll take a few weeks off. I haven't had a vacation in forever. Please. I was going to get all caveman on you and tell you it was a done deal, but I was advised against it."
A flicker of amusement flashed in her eyes. "Smart."
"I could use the time off and you need someone to get you meals and make sure you take it easy. I'm your guy."
"You love this place. I can't even imagine you taking off that long. You'll go crazy."
He smirked. "I'm willing to take that chance. Will you at least consider it?"
"I'll think about it."
"Thank you."
He left and Piph shut her eyes. She wasn't sure what to do. She had family in Maryland and considered asking for help, but it had been a long time since she spoke to them. Elizabeth was healing, so that wasn't an option. It was hard for her to even admit she needed help and she didn't want to be a burden. Right now, she really didn't have much of a choice but to let him help her.
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Elizabeth stretched as an amused Jason watched. After a minute, her eyes blinked open and she seemed surprised to see him and then he could see her wheels turning. "Hi."
"Hey. Did you sleep well?"
"Yes." She pushed off of him and sat up. "Thank you for making me feel comfortable."
"I can't do much, so I thought offering my body was the least I could do."
She grinned. "Very funny."
"It's nice seeing you smile."
"I'm kind of sick of everything ruining my Zen."
He smiled. "I'll try not to."
"You never do. I'll be right back."
She went to the bathroom and then rejoined him.
"Are you hungry?"
"Yeah."
Jason grabbed his phone and texted Alice who said she'd be right up. "Alice is on her way."
"You are getting so spoiled."
He shrugged. "I actually miss doing things for myself."
"It won't be long before you can."
"I know. Do you want to talk about it?"
"Not really."
"You shouldn't hold everything in."
"I know. What's there to say?"
Alice walked in. "Cook is making you a snack. Elizabeth, you have a visitor."
"Who?"
"Johnny."
She was surprised. "Oh, please tell him to come up."
"Okay."
She disappeared and a minute later Johnny appeared.
"Hey. You didn't have to come here."
"I did."
Jason could tell that Johnny wanted to talk to Elizabeth alone. "Why don't I meet you downstairs?"
"Thank you," Liz said.
Jason got up and used the crutches to get to the chair and then sat down in it and steered out the door.
"So what's going on?"
He sat on the bed. "I have a confession."
She noticed him staring at her neck and moved her hand to her throat. "Go ahead."
"I'm so sorry, Elizabeth."
"What do you have to be sorry about?"
"I knew."
"What?"
"I came back early from Maryland because Katherine called me in a panic about Kylie. She confessed that Kylie's dad was abusive and that she wasn't her mom."
Liz's mouth dropped open. "Wow."
"Kylie is her niece." He had gotten permission to tell Liz.
"I see."
"Because I didn't say anything, you ended up getting hurt."
"Johnny…" She paused for a moment to catch her breath. Her heart had been beating a mile a minute as she wondered what he was going to say. "You have no way of knowing and you were protecting a child. I wouldn't be mad at you for that. Come here."
He leaned closer and she hugged him.
"Are you with them?"
"Yes."
"Take care of them. I would be so upset if something happened. Kylie deserves a chance at a normal life."
"I don't even think she knows what that is."
Liz wiped away a tear and then touched his face. "You are such a good man. I know that I have no right to ask, but are you and Katherine more than friends?"
He sighed. "Not yet."
She got the implications. "She seems like a great person. The fact that she would uproot her life to protect Kylie reflects that. I want you to be happy."
"Then why are you crying?"
"I always thought that would be with me."
"Me too." He kissed her forehead. "You will always be in my heart."
"I feel the same way. Be happy."
"I want you to be happy too. Maybe you should look at what's right in front of you."
Her brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Johnny slightly smiled. "I know it's probably weird coming from me, but I kind of want to see your face when you finally give in and realize what he means to you."
"I'm not in love with John."
He chuckled. "I never realized how thick you were."
She punched his arm. "Don't be mean."
"Elizabeth, open your eyes baby. The man is in love with you and probably doesn't even know it. Tell Jason that I said goodbye." The look on her face made him crack up. "Okay, that face will have to do for now."
She watched him leave and then shook off what he said. "He has lost his mind. Jason doesn't love me. "Men."
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Sarah almost threw her phone. Somehow, Maxie got Lucky to forgive her. Bitch! She was almost tempted to release the Nikolas footage, but then she wouldn't have any leverage.
She plopped onto the couch. Unfortunately, she had to work, but before that she was going to visit Elizabeth. She had been avoiding her family long enough.
