Chapter Nine

Skye had driven around for half the night, alternating calling Lorenzo's cell phone and home, but to no avail, she could not find him anywhere. An inkling of fear was growing steadily in the pit of her stomach; something did not feel right about the situation.

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Sonny called Max and Milo, instructing them to get a few other men and to head to Ric's, Jason was being held in the room in which Carly had been held, they were to go in cautiously, for both Ric and Lorenzo were armed and more than willing to hurt those who helped Sonny and Jason. He only hoped that Jason was still there and alive.

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Jason had heard stories throughout his lifetime about some of the crypts having secret passageways and hidden rooms, but he was clueless to which ones those would be or even if the tales were true. However, unable to just sit and do nothing, he began to search more arduously, hoping beyond hope that this crypt be the one of many that did have a secret passageway.

For a feeling had started to invade all other thoughts, the inkling pertained to Elizabeth and once again, he understood that something had changed completely between he and Liz, it was like their souls had connected and that they could now feel each other, especially when frightened or in need.

He was so unaccustomed to something like that, that it was hard to articulate exactly how it felt, but the easiest way seemed to be the feeling of her now residing so completely within his heart, mind body and soul was that they could no longer deny the fact that they were and are soul mates.

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By the time that Max and the other men arrived at Ric's old house, they were too late, the secret room was open and all could see it was empty. The front door had been wide open when they entered. Max quickly phoned the boss to see what he wanted them to do now. "Sonny, they're gone, and while it is obvious he was here, there is no sign of where they have gone to from here. What do you want me to do?"

"Keep looking, leave no stone unturned, or rather piece of furniture, we need a lead and you are the one's who needs to find it, when you have searched everywhere and everything, then come back and we will see what we can do, if at that time you have found nothing." Sonny said tersely.

Max looked at the other men, knowing that any and all of them would lay their life's down for the boss and Jason, he quickly gave the orders. "Okay men, look everywhere, leave nothing untouched; we need clues, so let's go find them."

The men scattered throughout the house, each intent, on finding anything on the whereabouts of Jason. The entire group had such ability at camaraderie that it sometimes baffled Max. because so many men in one room, who continually got along, on the most part was quite rare, but this group worked well together and each thought of the other as a part of a larger extended family, so it is with pure determination that they set out to look for any clues that could possibly lead them to Jason.

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After an hour of fruitless searching, Jason laid his head upon his arm, planning to just rest for a moment, but his body had other plans and he quickly slipped into sleep. R.E.M. sleep did not take long and before he even knew what was happening, he was propelled into a dream, in it Liz was taking care of him, concern shining from her beautiful eyes. At first it sounded like nonsensical words were being issued from her luscious mouth, but soon enough he could hear the words clear. "Shhh Jason, sleep, you have had a rough couple of weeks, let me care for you, like you always care for me. I thought I was never going to see you again, it took so long to find you, can you tell me now where you were kept?" Dream Liz asked.

Jason could say nothing, he just looked around the room in which he was being comforted by Liz, she followed his gaze, the room he was in looked so familiar, but somehow she could not quite grasp where he was. Before either could say or do more, Jason's head jerked up, seeing his captors looking at him, Jason quickly stood up, taking a fighter's stance. They could do whatever they wished, but that did not mean he had to take it, he was going to fight them every step of the way.

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Liz awoke with a start, her dream propelling her into the semi-darkness that was early morning, upon awakening she tried to remember what had happened in her dream, but at every turn she was denied, it was like the dream had completely evaporated when she had come awake.

Her son's hand still loving positioned on her stomach, a small smile played at her lips as she thought to herself. "All night long I dreamed it was Jason's hand on my belly, but now I see who was really doing it." Liz tucked a curl behind one of his ears and placed a gentle kiss to his tiny brow before getting up and heading to the kitchen.

Now that she was not so exhausted, she was starving and only hoped that Jason had something in his fridge or cupboards that she could munch on, at least until morning.

She searched the fridge and discovered none other than butterscotch pudding. She felt somewhat guilty, knowing that it had to be Sam's, seeing as how she had never seen Jason eat any pudding before, but her instant craving swiftly removed the guilt. She could blame it on raging hormones and instantaneous food cravings, if she ever had to explain herself.

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Four days passed, Lorenzo and Ric were taking painstakingly long to decide on just how to execute there plan, with each idea one or the other shot it down. Both men were starting to believe a partnership even one that was not going to last long was just to much of a hassle, for neither man could handle being told what to do or how to do it. Ric and Lorenzo had holed up in a little motel on the outside of Port Charles, it wasn't something either man wanted to be doing, but until they could come up with an appropriate plan, then they were both stuck in the hole they now resided.

They both understood that Jason would soon need to be taken care of, but until an opening came that would guarantee that they could also take Sonny out, there was no point. As of yet, they had managed to remain hidden from anyone who would wish to do them harm, but sooner or later that would change, as it always does.

Lorenzo fought the urge daily to contact Skye, he had heard from one of his informants that she had put out a missing person's report with the police. It warmed his heart, as much as his cold heart could truly be warmed, for in her persistence she kept proving how much she loved him. Ric was also unable to maintain a normal semblance of life; it was impossible because if he were to show his face, Sonny would more than likely kill first then ask questions. Molly was left with the nanny, it was possible, even probable that no one even knew he was missing, except of course for the nanny, and she wouldn't say a thing.

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Liz was given a different bodyguard to protect her while she went about her everyday life, the guard who stood watch outside the penthouse rotated between Max, Milo and Johnny. And while it was to make her feel safe, and in some ways it did, she also knew she would not fully feel safe again until Jason was safe and at home. "When did Jason's house become home?" She wondered to herself.

Cameron liked being here, there was lots of room for his toys, Liz had brought over a few of his favorites, or rather Milo had, he had insisted that he do it, to save her the trouble of having to deal with anything stressful. It was after Milo had returned that she had discovered what had happened with Lucky, wondering why no one had told her. And while she felt badly for him, she knew it was not her fault that he had succumbed to the draw of his addiction. She finally understood that she alone could not control something of this magnitude, because things happened. That was what life was, a mass of hard times and dispiriting challenges. And with that knowledge, she knew that if she had stayed with Lucky something, sometime would have sent him over the edge, and living a life in fear of his addiction was not something she could do and didn't know how she could have thought she could have lived with.

After her shift was done, Milo who was off penthouse duty, escorted her to Lucky's room. And while she was not in love with him, she had loved him for most of her life. So whether this was something that she wanted to do or not, she made up her mind and did what she dreaded.

But before she could enter, she heard the angry voice of Maxie, begging and pleading with Lucky to not cast her away again. "Why did you sleep with me the other night then, what was that all about, your sick desire to inflict pain on me?" Maxie asked, but didn't wait for an answer; she ran out and almost collided with Liz. "Oh look, the dutiful wife, do you see what you have made of him, he isn't a man anymore, you have destroyed him." Maxie said as she stormed past the stunned woman.

"Good afternoon Lucky, how are you feeling?" Liz asked her run-in with Maxie still heating her blood, not so much the run-in but what had been said when she was trying to enter. Once again he had managed to turn to Maxie, it seemed like he always did.

"I'm fine and whether you believe me or not, this was not a suicide attempt. But since there is really nothing for us to discuss, I would ask you to please leave my room and leave me alone." Lucky said, his heart breaking, he couldn't handle another conversation like the one he had just had, or lack there of with Maxie.

"I will go, but not before we speak. And I can tell you already know the secret to which I came to speak to you about, I don't know how you found out, but I am glad that the lying is over, and I am truly sorry for lying to you for so long. I know this is not what you wanted, but you have to admit, whether it is now or in the years to come, it is what's best. We lost our way a long time ago, the boy you were before the fire had hold of my heart and would not let go, and while I know what happened then was not your fault, what happened when you came back was both of ours. I shouldn't have remarried you, but I was scared for you, I thought what I was doing was best for everyone involved." Liz paused to rearrange her thoughts, and then continued.

"When you were presumed dead, I grieved for you and tried to find meaning in my life, because if it hadn't been for you, I might not ever have gotten over the trauma of the rape. But when you came back Lucky, you were a changed man, the tenderness that had once been in you was stolen when Helena took you. We should have understood then that we had moved beyond each other. We have both seen and been through so much more than either of us can understand and perhaps because of that, we lost the spark that was once such a part of us. I love you, I really do, but we are not good for each other." A lone tear slide down her cheek, she wiped it absently away and once again continued with what she had to say.

"So if you must, hate me, but know I will never stop you from seeing Cameron or this baby, so long as you stay clean, because I cannot risk you coming and going from Cam's life or this baby's." Liz said sadly, her voice slowly dropping.

"You claim to love me, but are no longer in love with me, that doesn't make sense Liz. The only reason you are saying any of this is that you want to be with Jason and are willing to step on anyone to do so. I never knew you could be so heartless, you and Jason deserve each other." Lucky said snidely as he turned on his side as much as he was able to do so, turning from her and the look of pity that rested upon her face.

Liz watched the hate overtake him and knew that any reasoning would be useless, for he was not in a state of mind that would necessitate reason. Sadly, she turned to go, but as she reached the door, she turned back and said, "I truly am sorry that you feel that way, and while I cannot say that I don't want to be with Jason, he is still with Sam, and whatever happens from here on out is a mystery to me. but this way, I know someday you will find someone who makes you happy, and perhaps at that time, you will see it wasn't meant to be with us."

Lucky rolled back over, staring her down, finally with tears in her eyes she left the room. Milo noticed the tears even though she was trying to hide them. "Mrs. Webber, are you alright?"

"Yes Milo, I'm fine." Liz said unhappily. "It went pretty much as I expected it to; I think it is time to go home."

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Luke had come to check up on Lucky and to see how he was doing, but before he could enter the room, he could hear both Lucky and Liz's voices, and knowing he shouldn't be listening, he listened anyway. Although he was receiving glares from Milo, he remained rooted to the spot, Sonny's henchman didn't have to like it, but he was Lucky's father and deserved to know what was going on.

He wanted to go in and yell at Elizabeth for everything she was saying, but he heard the truth in her words and could not deny that her and Lucky, if you pardon the pun, were lucky to have gotten as far as they had.

He left without saying anything to anyone, he had wanted to be mad at Liz and blame all of it on her, but he understood she was trying to be a good mother and in so doing, she needed to follow her heart, whichever way that lead. He could understand that, for no matter where Laura was, his heart was still with her, but he was now married to another woman, the complete opposite of his beautiful Laura. He needed a drink and that was exactly where he was headed.

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Jason had been growing weaker day by day; it seemed that he was getting sick. The crypt was drafty and cold, and while there was food to eat and liquids to drink, there was nothing to keep him warm. He laid on the cement floor, chilled to the bone, a fever raging higher each passing day, whether from malnutrition or from some virus. Six days now he had been trapped in here, and while he was lucid, he knew that help would come, but during his fever-induced delirium, his mind insisted that he had been forgotten, sacrificed for a greater good.

His dreams were nasty, and even when awake he couldn't fully shake off the effects of those dreams. He knew he must be found soon or he could very well die. He tried to connect once again with the link that he and Liz shared, but being in such a state he couldn't discern if he was, actually do anything. And while in his forced solitude he had discovered many things, he knew that there was no other woman for him, it was Liz or no one.

And while he wasn't crazy about bringing a baby into the dangers of his lifestyle, he understood that parenthood, life and love were all dangerous, some more fatally than others, but they all had risks, he understood he was going to do all in his power to make a happy family. But as his fever, worsened, coherent thought was slowly dispelled for delusional fears.

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Six days had passed since she had last seen Jason, with each passing day she grew more and more worried. she could feel in her heart and soul that he was still alive, but the connection that she knew they shared seemed to be dimming, but why that was, she had no answer, except for perhaps the most obvious reason, he was dying.

Pulled out of her thoughts by a knocking on the door, Liz got up and opened the door, Sonny stood on the other side, looking sad and worried. He looked less like the man she had come to know over the years, that at any other time, even when he had his mental breakdown, he had still seemed more like himself, than the shell that seemed to be standing in front of her.

"Liz, how are you and the baby?" Sonny asked.

"We are both fine, please come in." Liz said, stepping aside to allow him entrance.

"That's good, I came here, because I have searched everywhere, Lorenzo and Ric have not yet been seen, I need you to think if there is anywhere that they could have put Jason." Sonny said fear clearly imprinted upon his face.

"Sonny, I really don't know, when I was married to Ric we spoke of many things, but trying to pinpoint one location where Jason may be, I just don't know if I can. Please understand I will do anything to help, I just don't' know how helpful I am really going to be for you." Liz said as tears flowed freely.

"Shhh, don't worry, it's not good for you. I plan on doing everything in my power to find him." Sonny exclaimed.

"Sonny, you need to find him, he is in great danger and no matter what you think of me, this baby and me need him, more so than even he probably realizes, but that is beside the point…" Liz said as she slowly doubled over, one hand on the plush carpet, the other holding her stomach, this time there was no mistaking what was going on, she was in the very early stages of labor, and of course Jason no where to be seen. She had felt minor contractions this morning, but had once again dismissed them as being Braxton Hicks, which these obviously were, they were much more regular and the pain was everywhere.

Sonny quickly dialed 911 and instructed the women that she needed to send an ambulance to the penthouse, for his friend who was in labor. Sonny placed a hand upon her shoulder, trying to reassure her that everything was going to be ok; now all he had to do was convince himself. He called Audrey and alerted her to her granddaughter's labor, asking if Milo could drop Cameron off at her house.

He hadn't expected a warm return, but the cold hate filled voice of Audrey cut Sonny's words off quickly. She had never been so angry in her life; here she was sitting idly by as her granddaughter made a horrible mistake.

The ambulance didn't take very long, but long enough for Sonny, causing him to pace restlessly, he knew women went into labor everyday, but this woman was special, because not only was the child she was caring Jason's but also because she meant so much to his best friend. Jason would never forgive him if something were to happen to Liz after all that she had been through. Horrid thoughts plagued him until the very second the ambulance arrived and hurriedly took Liz to the hospital.

As soon as she was gone, Sonny phoned Carly, knowing she did not care for Elizabeth, but knowing she would do all she could for Jason, and that friendship would now also include his child, no matter who the mother was. He had thought of calling Emily, but he wanted to worry as few people as possible, and if Emily didn't know the child Liz carried was Jason's then bigger headache's could possible ensue.

"Carly, listen and listen good, I need you to get to the hospital, Liz has gone into labor, and Jason is still being held hostage, but Liz went into labor, you must go keep an eye on her, an in by no means are you to stress her out, she has been through enough without you causing more problems. Be there for her, and in so doing, be there for Jason." Sonny stated, hoping she wouldn't ask to many questions.

"I'll go, and while I don't care for her, I do for Jason, it is for him I do this, make no mistake." With that said Carly hung up the phone and headed to the hospital.

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