Chapter Seven

Lightly tapping her pen against the chart that she was reading, Elizabeth looked over at Robin when she joined her at the nurses hub. "Hey. I haven't seen you much today."

Robin groaned and grabbed a chart from the rack. "It has been a madhouse in here. Patrick and I have had two emergency surgeries already. Didn't you and Mauruchi just get out of one as well?"

"Yep, a four hour heart surgery. Thankfully it was the only one left that I was scheduled to work. I am looking forward to my shift being over."

"I talked to Georgie earlier. She said that Jagger was working for Johnny Zacchara. When did that happen?"

"I'm not real sure. I just know that he has been for awhile." Elizabeth looked up as Epiphany walked up, looking irate. "What's wrong?"

The head nurse scowled and huffed out a breath in exasperation. "Carly Jacks, what else! She is driving me insane."

"What is she doing here?" Robin asked.

"Not getting the help that she needs psychologically, that's for sure!" Epiphany snarked. "She was yelling at Kate Howard over something. I called security, but I am so sick of that woman and her antics."

Elizabeth laughed. "I think that we all are." Turning her attention back to her paperwork, she missed Epiphany staring at the man sitting in the lobby watching the area.

"Uh, Elizabeth, do you know why that handsome man is sitting in my lobby? He has been there all day and keeps watching you."

Grimacing, she looked up and met her boss's stare. "Um, he is sort of my guard for right now," she admitted sheepishly.

Robin's head whipped around and seeing Jagger her eyes widened before turning to stare at Elizabeth along with Epiphany. "Since when is Jagger your guard?"

Uncomfortable being the center of attention, Elizabeth blushed slightly. "He started guarding me yesterday after Johnny asked him to."

Epiphany nodded. "Well, at least someone is taking your safety into consideration with what has happened. We are screening all entrances, but it is nice to know that you have someone watching out for you. Although I am a bit surprised by the source," she admitted with a curious look. "Just make sure that young man does not interfere with your job or the patients."

"Of course," she murmured before Epiphany left to check on the student nurses.

"Are you seeing Johnny, Liz?" Robin questioned softly. She had seen his car in her friend's driveway bright and early this morning and remembered how she reacted whenever his name was mentioned the other day at lunch. It was also obvious that Elizabeth was happier than she had been in awhile.

Nodding, she watched Robin out of the corner of her eyes. "Um, yeah. It happened so quick, but he is a good guy."

"Good, I am happy that you are finally getting back out there. Just be careful. His life is dangerous."

"I know, hence Jagger."

Robin laughed as she looked at her beeper. "Well, duty calls. See ya later, Liz!" she said before rushing off to the ER.

Finishing her end of shift paperwork, she gave her relief report on the patients and sighed, happy to be done. She changed quickly and met Jagger outside of the locker room. "Finally done!"

"You look tired," he commented, looking at her.

"It was a busy day. The last surgery was complicated and long."

Ushering her onto the elevator, he pushed the garage button. "I don't know how you stand in one spot that long. I would go insane."

"I'm on my feet all day. After a while you don't even notice."

Walking toward her car with her, he scanned the darkly lit garage. Jagger was not happy to see the tall man leaning against the motorcycle parked beside her vehicle. Seeing that Elizabeth had not spotted him as she dug through her purse for her keys, he murmured softly to her that Jason was waiting for her.

Elizabeth's head snapped up and she frowned. "Jason, what are you doing here?"

He eyed Jagger before focusing on her. "I would like to talk to you."

"I don't think that is a good idea right now. I am tired and have an early morning appointment tomorrow."

"We need to talk," he countered.

"Fine, but not now." She met his unwavering stare. "I am tired, Jason."

Refusing to back down, he shook his head. He needed to make sure that she knew she was making a mistake by getting involved with Johnny. His life was just as dangerous, if not more so than his own. Deciding to ignore Jagger, he turned his full attention to Elizabeth. "I think that it needs to be now, before you get involved with Johnny any deeper. What are you thinking, Elizabeth? You have to know why this is not a good idea."

"Why can't you just be happy for me without spouting off about the danger? He makes me happy, Jason. I'm not stupid. I know that there are risks."

"What about the kids?" he demanded, his usual calm deteriorating.

"I always think of my sons and I don't appreciate you implying that I don't! I have been raising Cam and Jake by myself with only sporadic help from Lucky. You have no say in what I do anymore. You gave that up, remember. What is so wrong with me wanting to be happy? Everyone else is!" she snapped in agitation. Feeling Jagger touch her arm softly, she looked up at him and found his eyes staring at the man upsetting her.

"Elizabeth, I think that you should go ahead and get in the car. I will be there in a minute." He waited until she had closed the passenger door before turning to face the other man. "You need to back off, Morgan. She is a big girl, perfectly able to see whoever she wants."

"What happened to hating everything that Sonny stood for?" Jason demanded. "You are working for someone in the exact same business, Jagger."

Jagger's eyes flashed. "No, Johnny has never got a young woman addicted to pills and took advantage of them. He also believes in protecting the people that he cares about, so that makes him different from you too. You left her, Cam, and your son unguarded." He laughed at the sheer shock on the enforcer's face. "The secret is not very well hidden. Johnny has known since the Ball. You really shouldn't throw stones while living with the woman that has repeatedly placed your son in danger. Johnny and Elizabeth are both consenting adults and are very aware of what this relationship could bring."

Pinching his nose and trying to contain his temper, Jason shook his head. "It will only end up hurting her or the boys, one of which is MY son," he snarled, his legendary control snapping.

"No, your problem is that Elizabeth is moving on with someone that you don't like or approve of. You never claimed your son before. In fact, you never even see him, so you don't get to play that card and expect anyone to honestly buy it."

Jason took a step forward before catching himself. "I walked away because I loved them!"

"No, you walked away because you are a coward and would rather be with someone like Sam McCall. Shouldn't you be at home waiting on the pregnancy test results with her?" Smirking at the confused look, Jagger chuckled. "Sam bought a pregnancy test today. See, we take all threats into consideration, and after reading the very in depth files that Johnny has about the people in this town, I intend to make sure that Sam stays away from Liz. You are with a woman that watched your son be kidnapped, hired men to threaten Liz and the boys with guns, and that has verbally attacked her repeatedly. I don't call that love, and no one else would either."

"She made a mistake, one that she regrets. Stay away from Sam!"

"I will as long as she stays away from Liz. Let go of this need to control who Liz is with. It won't happen. The chemistry between her and Johnny is electric. He really cares about her. You need to accept that."

Burning with anger, Jason watched as Jagger got in the car and drove them out of the garage. He wanted Elizabeth happy, but not with someone from his world. Johnny Zacchara was not an option and he needed to make her see that somehow, especially since they knew that Jake was his son. He didn't trust Zacchara not to use that fact to get what he wanted.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~b~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Georgie sailed into the kitchen where Elizabeth was making waffles. "Good morning!"

"Georgie!" Cam squealed with delight while Jake waved as he shoveled food into his mouth.

"Hey, Cam. I hope I'm not late, Elizabeth."

Sliding a plate in front of Cam, she smiled at the energy that Georgie always seemed to have. "Nope, a little early actually. Do you want a waffle?"

"Theys good," Jake added with a syrupy smile at her.

"Sure, thanks. I skipped breakfast at the house. Mac was arguing with Maxie again."

"It's not a problem. How are you and Cooper doing? He seemed upset when you left last night."

"He is a tad upset with me," she confessed with a heavy sigh.

Handing her a plate with a waffle and sitting across from her with her own, Elizabeth smiled at Georgie. "What happened?"

"He keeps pushing the issue of living together. I don't know if I am ready. Everything that went wrong with Dillon keeps running through my mind."

"Georgie, no one can decide except for you, but I do want to say something. Don't let yourself get talked into something that you are unsure of. If he really loves you, he will wait until you are ready."

"What if he won't wait for me?" she asked softly.

"Then he is not the right guy. Sweetie, a healthy relationship involves compromising and supporting one another. Talk to Cooper. Tell him what you are feeling." Looking at the clock, Elizabeth stood. "I need to go or I will be late. Cam, Jake, be good for Georgie. Mommy loves you." Kissing each one of their cheeks, she looked over at her friend. "I shouldn't be too long. Bye!"

Elizabeth drove over to the hospital and hurried to Kelly's office. Being taken straight into an exam room she had to admit that being friends with the doctor had its upsides. Kelly rushed in and waved at her before dropping tiredly into the chair.

"Hey, Liz. Last nights full moon has been hell," the woman groused with good humor. "So, what did you need to see me for."

Squirming a little in her seat, she looked up at her friend. "Well, I was wondering what form of birth control would be best for me considering my past. I know that anything hormonal is out because of the incident with the birth control pills and Ric. I kind of needed your suggestion."

Kelly's eyebrows raised. "I think that I have missed some serious need to know gossip, girl. Please tell!"

"Kelly!"

Amused at Elizabeth's embarrassment, Kelly smirked before getting serious. "Well, you could always go with condoms or an IUD. We already discussed the other options after you had Jake and you weren't comfortable with them. Are you interested in an IUD?"

Sighing, she shook her head. "I just hate that I can't take the shot. I was hoping that the new one might be a possibility."

"Sorry, it still has hormones in it. Even though they are low levels, it is still too dangerous."

"Stupid Ric," she muttered. "Alright. Thanks anyway."

"Oh no you don't," Kelly admonished as Elizabeth stood. "Who are you seeing? I didn't know that you were involved with anyone."

Elizabeth blushed. "Um, Johnny Zacchara."

"Wow! He is one hot man, you lucky girl."

Laughing as Kelly leered, she smacked her arm. "Be good!"

Linking her arm through Elizabeth's, Kelly led her out into the hallway of the hospital the back way. "I am always good!" she winked. "Are you able to get away for a Girl's Night Out? Lainey, Robin, and Nadine are all ready for one too."

"I don't think it will be anytime soon. Lucky went to Ireland with Shioban for a month. They left yesterday. With work and daycare, I don't really feel comfortable leaving the boys with a sitter to go out right now. Cam was upset that Lucky was leaving for so long."

Kelly shook her head. "You are a saint to put up with his disappearing all the time, Liz. And then there is the way that he talks to you all the time."

"Not a big deal. I have been dealing with his selfishness for a long time. I gotta get out of here and go relieve Georgie. Thanks for squeezing me in, Kelly."

"Your welcome. See you tomorrow."

Leaving the hospital and heading toward her car, she gasped when someone grabbed her arm. Spinning around, she came face to face with an upset Johnny. "Hey, you scared me."

"Sorry, I called your name and you didn't hear me." He pulled her into a hug and kissed her. "Why did you leave before Jagger got there? I thought that you were off today. Tony called and told me that you had left without a guard. He wasn't sure whether to stay with Cam and Jake or follow you."

Elizabeth winced. "I am so sorry, Johnny. I forgot. I am not use to having guards. It has been several years since I had guards following me everywhere."

Taking her hand in his, he walked with her to her car. "I understand that it is a lot to adjust to, but you have to be more careful. My father is very unstable, Elizabeth. Please don't take unnecessary risks." Reaching her car, he looked over at her and smiled, trying to ease the tension that had overwhelmed him after the call saying that she had taken off alone. "Did you get called in?"

"Uh, no. I had a doctors appointment."

"Are you ok?" he asked with concern, looking her over intently.

Elizabeth blushed, looking away. "I'm fine. I just needed to talk with Kelly."

Understanding that she was uncomfortable, he pulled her close again and cupped her face to look into her eyes. "I missed you last night," he whispered against her ear.

"I missed you too. Do you want to come to dinner tonight with me and the boys? I promise not to poison you."

Johnny laughed. "Sure."

"We usually eat around seven. Any requests?"

"Whatever you already planned is fine. I have a meeting, unfortunately, in about a hour. I will follow you home and Jagger will be there until I get back."

"Do you need Jagger? I will stay with the Tony, I promise, if you need to take him to the meeting."

Seeing her concern, he shook his head and pressed a quick kiss against her forehead. "I will be fine. It's not a business meeting, it is something personal that I need to address."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~b~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Johnny walked into Jake's and spotted Jason sitting at a booth in the back. Making his way over to the other man, he knew that this was not going to be a pleasant talk. Sliding into the seat across from him, he met the icy stare. "What did you want, Jason?"

"I want you to walk away from whatever plan you are up to."

Snorting, he shook his head. "I have no plans. What are you talking about?"

Grinding his teeth, Jason slammed his hand on the table. "Are you honestly telling me that you aren't using Elizabeth? You would do anything to get one up on Sonny and me."

"No, I am the one that came to you wanting peace between us. I am not using Elizabeth at all. Why is so hard for you to believe that I care for her? She is an incredible woman. She is smart, classy, and sexy as hell." Johnny ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "Do you still have feelings for her? Is that what this is all about?"

"You know that I am with Sam. I care about Elizabeth, yes, but not as anything more than a friend. Jagger told me that you know about Jake, so I am not going to beat around the bush with you. I want a better life for them than the danger from our world." Jason grabbed his beer. "I didn't walk away for her to get involved with you."

Johnny smirked. "But you did walk away. You threw her and those boys away and never looked back. Elizabeth knows the dangers that come from being with me. I explained it all to her and let her decide. She wanted to to see what develops between us, Jason. And unlike you, I respect her right to choose. I would have walked away if that is what she wanted, but she didn't. Jake being your son biologically does not matter one way or another to me. I look at him the same way that I do Cam. They are a part of her, you don't even factor into the equation."

"And what happens when your world gets them hurt?" Jason demanded. He was not happy to see that Johnny meant what he was saying, that he really cared about Elizabeth, but he still did not trust him.

"I brought Jagger back to help protect them. I will take out any threats against them, all of them, no matter who they are from."

"I may not be able to make Elizabeth stay away from you, but I will kill you if you hurt her or the boys," Jason stated coldly.

"I have no intention of hurting her. But maybe you should look in the mirror once in awhile. Do you think that she didn't hurt when you got back with Sam? Or how about the way that you let your best friend Carly belittle and attack her all the time?" Johnny shook his head in disgust. "Honestly, I think that you are jealous. Well, get over it. I am not going anywhere."

Glaring, he leaned toward Johnny and growled. "You know nothing. I am happy with Sam. I am not jealous of you, but I am not giving up on getting her away from you either."

"Well, good luck with that. Do you think that she is going to listen to you after learning that you are having another child? One that you are planning on being there to raise? I bet that she will tell you to take your concern and shove it. Maybe you should stick to your no contact rule that you made when you paid her off to stay away. Don't look so surprised. Jagger told you that I have files that are very detailed. I can even tell you that Elizabeth has never touched the five million. It is still sitting in an account growing interest while she works her ass off to take care of two boys as a single mother. Although I guess that I should thank you. Without your screw ups, I wouldn't have exactly what I want." Johnny winked at him and smiled. "Nothing will get in our way, Jason, not even you."

Thinking about murdering the arrogant ass across from him, Jason stood and threw some money on the table and walked out.

Johnny leaned back in the booth and chuckled. It amazed him how the stone cold enforcer lost all ability to hide behind his mask when discussing Elizabeth. Glancing at his watch, he saw that he still had time to stop and pick up a few things before heading to her house. After the day that he had been having, Johnny was looking forward to spending some time with her.