Chapter Three

Sonny waited several minutes before chasing after Kate. He had to make her understand and convince Kate to stay with him. He finally caught up to her in the foyer. She and Carly were arguing about Ric.

When Carly saw him, she ran up to him yelling. "Tell me you're not going to it. That this... this... hasn't changed your mind."

"Carly this is between me and Kate." Sonny said in an attempt to clam his ex wife. Carly had a way of making things worse and that was the last Sonny needed.

"Not if she's convinced you to help save Ric. I mean come on Sonny you know he deserves this." Carly insisted to the mobster.

Kate huffed at their childish antics. New York City was looking better and better everyday. "What is wrong with the two of you? A man may die because of your selfishness and this is how you justify it."

"Shut up Kate." Carly screeched at the other woman. "You have no idea what you are talking about. Ric has put everyone in this town through hell. I bet there is no one in Port Charles let alone this island who will help him."

"That all may be true but... you know what I'm wasting my breath. I can see why you keep remarrying." Kate said shaking her head. She could see in very stark terms that Sonny had truly changed and not for the better. At least she learned it now before her heart was broken again.

"What does that mean?" Carly snapped her eyes narrowing. Kate had a lot of nerve assuming anything about her relationship with Sonny. Even if she was right.

"That the two of you are prefect for one another." Kate said turning on her high heels and walking away.

"Kate don't walk off at least let me try to explain." Sonny called running across the room and grabbing her arm. Kate pulled away from his grasp and took several steps back. The last person she allowed to treat her this way was Trevor and in the end she dumped him too.

"I think you've done enough explaining." Kate said coldly leaving the couple alone.

"Are you happy now Carly?" Sonny snapped at the blonde. There were times he wanted to strangle her and this was one of them.

"She was right for you anyway. Its not like she could really handle your life and you know it." Carly told him before sauntering off leaving him all alone.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Absolutely not, Elizabeth. Have you lost your mind?" Jason yelled after pulling Elizabeth out into the hallway. 'What was she thinking? Ric is monster. She should do the world a favor and let him die.'

"I appreciate your concern Jason but this is none of your business."

"None of my business? You're my friend Elizabeth and when you're doing something stupid not mention dangerous you should know."

"How is helping Ric stupid? Is it because you don't like him? I don't care Jason. He's my friend and I care if he lives." Elizabeth shot back her voice filled with rage and fear. The man she loved, yes she willing admitted that she still loved Ric, might die and all Jason wanted to do was argue.

"Elizabeth you're a good person and its sweet naïve but sweet. We both know Ric should have died years ago. The only reason he's still breathing is because of Sonny." Jason snapped at Elizabeth.

"I know you hate Ric and I'm sure the feeling is mutual. However, I will not allow someone, especially Ric, to die because you say so. And cannot believe you would even suggest it."

"After everything you're still willing to defend that sick bastard. What is...?" Jason stopped mid sentence as Elizabeth slapped Jason across the face. Jason immediately grabbed her arm and pulled her close to him. "Have you lost your mind?"

"Get your hands off me." Elizabeth said struggling to pull away. Jason finally let go causing Elizabeth to stumble slightly. When she regained her balance, she looked him in the eyes and said, "Unlike everyone else in this town I am not afraid of you."

"You should be." Jason threatened before taking a deep breath to calm down. "I don't know what's going on in your head but I'm going to forget this happened. When we get off this island, maybe things will go back to normal. That includes staying away from Ric."

"Since when do you tell me what to do?" Elizabeth demanded storming off before Jason could give her an answer.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Ric could hear people arguing but they seemed so far away. For some reason Ric knew he had to open his eyes but it wasn't an easy task. Then Ric heard Elizabeth's voice. Finally, he managed to open his eyes. "Elizabeth."

The chaotic room stopped when Ric whispered Elizabeth's name. Everyone had been arguing about Ric's transfusion and for one Patrick was slightly relieved. Maybe Ric could talk Elizabeth out of her slightly insane idea. "Hey there."

"What's going on?" Ric asked is voice barely a whisper.

Patrick however not Elizabeth was the one who answered Ric's question. "We were about to give you a transfusion."

"Here?" Ric asked looking around the room in confusion.

"We don't really have a choice you have lost a lot of blood. I'm surprised you are even conscious. Just lay still so we can get started." Patrick said as they continued to work.

Ric did as Patrick asked somehow managing to keep his eyes open. It was just starting to relax when he realized who the donor would be. "No." Ric said trying to pull his arm away. He had no idea why Elizabeth thought this was even an option.

"Ric you need this transfusion."

"Not you." Ric told her stubbornly. He honestly had no idea what she was thinking.

"I'm going to be perfectly fine." Elizabeth told him running her fingers through his dark hair. His eyes automatically closed at the familiar act

Even in his weakened state Ric could tell she was lying. Elizabeth was never very good at it and he could never figure out why she tried. "No." Ric repeated stubbornly. There was no way Elizabeth was going to risk her life to save his.

"Ric please let me do this." Elizabeth said a hint of pleading in her soft voice.

"What if you..."

Elizabeth interrupted before he could voice his concern. "Nothing is going to happen to me."

"You don't know that." Elizabeth sighed at Ric's stubbornness. She knew he would fight this and that is why she had hoped he would stay unconscious. Elizabeth knelt beside the sofa and whispered softly in his ear. Ric immediately smiled and then frowned at whatever she said. "That's blackmail." He told her when she pulled away.

"Oh gee I wonder who I learned that from." Elizabeth mumbled rolling her eyes.

Ric could see that for once he was going lose an argument with Elizabeth. "Fine. You win. Do whatever you think is best."

"Thank you." Elizabeth whispered moving over to a chair beside him.

"No thank you." Ric said their eyes locking just before he closed his.

"So we're really doing this?" Patrick asked Elizabeth. He didn't know much about Ric or his history with Elizabeth but anyone could see they felt something more than friendship. When all this was over, he was going to find out about their history because Elizabeth was like a sister to him. And the last thing Patrick wanted was to see her hurt.

"Yeah we are." Elizabeth nodded never taking her eyes off Ric.

"Let's get started then." Patrick said with a sigh.