Switching Places

Meurier: He who excuses himself accuses himself

Lucky waited until the doctors left, then sat up on bed, there was no way he did what they are saying. While he could not remember his own name, he just knew there was no way he was a criminal. No way in hell. Unless... unless something had driven him to do this, like he was being forced to. If it was the only way, that actually made sense if he would have kidnapped two women to protect them.

Seeing the bald man who had entered, he said "Why are you doing this to me? Why are you accusing me of this? I am not a criminal; you have the wrong guy."

"We have two witnesses, the first women is your cousin Carly the second is Georgie Jones, but that's right you don't remember them." He sneered. Turning to the useless waste of space he said "Just in case you are faking more than your loss of memory, I would stay here if I were you. Jason Morgan isn't too happy with you since you tried to kidnap Elizabeth."

As Carly finished telling Emily, Elizabeth, Jason and Alexis what she knew about the past, all she could hear was the sound of water dripping into the sink. "Do you believe me?"

"Yes, but some of this is already over with. Lorenzo Alcazar is teaching at the university, but I will keep an eye on him. The Ruiz family comes to town because of him, so I will talk to him and ask about them. This other family I have already seen in action." Said Jason reluctantly. Turning to Alexis, he said "Remember the young man who sat with Georgie in the park the night she was attacked. That was the kid, Johnny Zachara."

Carly was glad she hadn't mentioned his relationship with her young cousin, Lulu was going to be handled and soon. No more delaying until it was close to the time, she had to deal with things now.

"Why did he run?" Asked Alexis worried about her soon to be stepdaughter.

"Anthony is hitting him, why he is taking it is the part I don't get. Why hasn't he run?" Asked Elizabeth.

"To protect someone else would be my guess." Said Carly. "The thing is who? Claudia is in Europe already, and his mother is dead."

"We need to find that out, then deal with Trevor and Anthony. As for the Russians, I think that with Ian Devlin dying, the drugs won't flow into town."

"I am heading home; I left Momma supervising Michael who is trying to host a party for his girlfriends." Said Carly trying not to laugh. "He invited Maxie, Georgie, Brooklynn, Sage and Lulu over for one last night."

The Coroner was examining Sam's body when Mac entered the room.

"Silicone, and a face lift." Said the man, "why do they think it makes them more attractive?"

"In her case, I think she is right. She needed to hold men's interests anyway possible and from what I hear she didn't have a lot else to work with." He said. "What did you find that you wanted me down here?"

"Just this." He said passing the evidence bag to his boss. "I found it in her throat."

"You were saying this was swallowed?" Mac asked holding up the bag with the small post it note that was badly faded and illegible.

"Unfortunately the acid in her esophagus destroyed it, so we have no way of knowing what she had written down, also she was living on borrowed time."

"What do you mean?"

"The jiggleware was about to bust. They look like they were done, south of the equator, shoddy workmanship. I removed them so that I can trace them back to the manufacturer."

"Anything else?"

"Just that this is the girl who made such a big deal about getting a hysterectomy right? First of all there is no evidence of this. There is more. These are her prison medical records. When she was in lockup for a prostitution bust, she had bleeding from an abortion just before that; also she gave birth while in jail for a con. The kid was given up to its father and died not long afterwards. This woman on the table, never was pregnant, and all her reproductive organs are intact"

"Did you check the DNA?"

"Yes, but we both know that can be changed. Do you think Morgan do this?

"No, he wanted her out of the way, he would have left her in prison and dealt with it inside. It looks like we have a new player in our little game of mobster Monopoly, one who has a use for Sam McCall and the resources to do this."

Elizabeth waited until they arrived back to the penthouse, then said to Jason. "I need a favor. I want you to go and see Lucky."

"With you?" He asked.

"No, by yourself. I am only going to see him at work. Otherwise I will stay away. I just want you to let me know if he is faking like I think he is. I just don't trust him."

"What if he isn't faking?" He asked worried about her answer. "What if this is real?"

"If it is, he is still on is own. I spent enough of my time trying to fix him, let someone else do it this time." She said firmly. "What do you think about this Zachara family?"

"As to what, business?" He asked.

"No, I mean that dad hitting the son. Is there anything we can do?"

"Johnny is over eighteen, if he reaches out I will help him, maybe taking out Ric's father will help. Do you want to have dinner here or with Sonny?"

Groaning, Elizabeth recalled her promise to the gangster and said "I guess at Adella's. However no dessert, I have plans for you later tonight." Jason gave a small grin, not wanting to stay any later than was necessary either. Sonny had told him that tomorrow he needed to talk to him, but that for the evening, he just wanted to spend it with his family. Jason and Elizabeth.

Sonny sat down at the table in the private room then told the waiter to just bring in the arranged set up. As soon as Jason and Elizabeth entered, he asked Max to sweep the room, then told his former guard, thank you.

"I hope you don't mind if we serve ourselves." He said nervously. "I have something I need to talk to the two of you about and it needs to be in private."

"That's fine, I would rather have dinner this way anyhow." Said Elizabeth as she hugged the man. Stepping back she looked up into his eyes and saw they were clear for the first time in a while. "So what are we eating at the best-reviewed restaurant in town?"

"Just the basics, lasagna scaloppini, and a salad. I had the dessert chef box up some tiramisu for you to take home." After they were all set, and some laughs about Michael's harem, they slowly relaxed and then Sonny stiffened and said "I'm seeing Lainey Winters."

"Seeing her like as in dating her, or as in seeing her as a patient." Asked Elizabeth stunned.

"I have been suffering from Manic Depression; she is treating me along with prescribing Lithium." He said watching as Jason appeared stunned but Elizabeth seemed to just accept it. "I don't thing the diagnosis is a complete surprise to Elizabeth."

"It's not, but I am glad you are getting treated for it. When did this start." She asked as Jason finally got his mind wrapped around it.

"I figured it out when helping you study. Dr. Winters arranged for some tests just before Carly was kidnapped. She gave me the results but I waited until Carly was home so that I can take my time getting used to the drugs." He said. "Jason I need to know what you think."

"I'm glad you are getting treatment, but what happens from here on out?"

"I find out what the right dosage is, but this is something I will have to take the rest of my life. Other than that things stay the same. I keep running Adella's, as for the rest, I am out more than likely. I will be still fighting Carly over AJ, though."

"Sonny, you are wrong, I know it seems hard to believe, but he has changed." Said a weary Jason.

"I have grown up in an abusive family; I don't want Michael or this new baby to do so. I don't think Carly is thinking clearly on this." He said stubbornly.

"The thing is, Sonny, this is Carly's decision. I have spent a bit of time with AJ while Carly was missing. He never once made this about him, he was there for Michael and Bobbie and I was surprised to find out that he has been the reason Mike is staying away from the betting parlors."

"You can't change addictions, you know that, he is still a drunk." Said Sonny.

"No, he is still an alcoholic, but he is no longer a drunk." Said Elizabeth, "Now let's change the subject to something a little happier. What do you think about the news that Alexis and Mac are getting married and that Brenda is returning for the wedding?"

Sonny looked over at the brunette and said "You, Elizabeth Morgan are evil." Brenda had sent him a message to let him know, but he wasn't sure how he felt about it. That was one of the topics he discussed with Lainey quite frequently.

"I know." She said blithely. "Still inquiring minds want to know."

Bobbie was grabbing the popcorn from the microwave and dumping it into a bowl, before turning to Lucas with it, "so who all crashed?"

"Just Dillon, we are going to be in my room." He said before grabbing the bowl and his friend from the living room. "I promised Mom we would stay out of here."

Lulu protested the removal of the Quartermaine youngest, before the other girls insisted he leave. "Why can't he stay?" She pouted.

"This is supposed to be about Michael, remember?" Asked Sage while thinking, the only reason you are here is that you are related to him. Lulu had never once came over and helped with the youngster.

"Fine, but he is related to him." She said before curling up on the sofa. "So Georgie, why are you here, shouldn't you be at the station getting Lucky tossed into prison."

"Enough!" Said Carly as she entered dressed like the younger girls in pajama sets. "Lulu, your brother knocked her out and tossed her into a crate thinking she was Elizabeth. He also was there at the house where I was being held captive."

"He thought he was working with the FBI." She said "He didn't mean to hurt anyone."

"The deal was this stayed out of this room for the night, but the fact is he had no right to kidnap anyone."

As soon as Michael returned with his game console, the party turned into chaos, as Sage, Brooklynn and Georgie took turns getting their respective butts kicked by an seven year old. "I am so the king." He shouted after wiping out his mother at Invader Zim.

"You might want to remember that I could take away your system." Threatened Carly.

"You wouldn't do that just because you were beat by me." He said laughing. "Sage come play again."

"Fine but this time I am making sure that my controller is plugged in." she said to remarks that just because it was plugged in didn't mean she knew how to use it. "Teach me how to beat Jones over there, she has something I want."

"Just because I already have my tickets for the train doesn't mean I would bet the extras."

"What train?" Asked Carly grateful for the chance to have some light hearted fun.

"We are going on a class trip to West Point. Someone forgot to get her tickets. I have two sets." Georgie said smugly.

"Only because you had already purchased yours when you won one for debate club." Said Lulu.

"Who all is going?" Asked Bobbie from the doorway.

"Only our class. So that means Brooklynn, Sage and I along with the rest of our class."

"A trip to town with all those cute cadets, plus we are touring a couple of old houses." Said Sage. "I want to go since we are going to be out of school for two days."

"Georgie, this had better not be close to the wedding." Warned Carly making the other girls grin, they had all had the experience of dealing the wedding planner Carly earlier this evening. There was a baker in town who was in fear of his life.

Jason pulled his wife back into his arms saying "I love it when you wear my shirts." Looking out the window, he just held her enjoying the feelings it was arousing.

Laughing at the husky sound of his voice, Elizabeth said "Sorry, I couldn't sleep. I keep thinking of everything going on. Carly, Sonny, this mess with Lucky."

"We will be fine, like Carly said things might have changed but as long as we stick together, it will work out the way it is supposed to." Leaning down he kissed her neck, saying "there is something I wanted to talk to you about. When do you want to go to Italy? I am thinking maybe in July."

Turning in his arms, Elizabeth kissed him saying "we can attend the Palio."

"I was thinking we could hole up in a villa and never leave the bedroom except to eat." He teased.

"We can do that here. I would love to go to Italy whenever you want. My classes end in a couple of weeks until next semester, so we can go right after we find out how Emily's treatment goes."

"Fine, but I want to state for the record we don't need to bring any clothes for you, you can just borrow all my dress shirts." Picking Elizabeth up he carried her over to the sofa and said once they were lying down. "I want this one back now, though." As he slowly unbuttoned the white dress shirt.

Chapter

Cicero: Never go to excess let moderation be your guide

Elizabeth stood to the side while Emily separated Lulu and Brooklynn again. This was the third time this morning and it was getting repetitive. Lulu was upset that Mac had arrested Lucky and had a police guard standing outside her brother's room and she was taking it out on all of them. After Brooklynn stormed off, Lulu started arguing with Sage.

"Elizabeth, a little help please." Said Emily.

"Sage, I am heading to the Quartermaines, why don't you come and visit with Lila." She said. "Lulu is all yours."

Once they were apart, the two women tried to reason with the two girls. Elizabeth telling Sage that she had to let Lulu have some slack and that she of all people should understand.

"I have never used who and what my dad was to get what I want. She is manipulating the situation. You should hear her, oh Dillon I am so worried. Oh, please sit with me, everyone is staring at me. Of course they are staring she is attacking Maxie and Georgie for their dad doing his job." She said with disgust.

"She is young, scared and learned how to manipulate from the best. What you need to do is step back, trust me on this." She said to the younger girl as they arrived at the mansion. "No one if fooled, besides I thought you were not going to date Dillon."

"Georgie says she doesn't like him and he has been great since I moved in with my uncle." She admitted. "I think I still like him and want to see where things will go." As they entered the house, after talking to Reginald, they separated Sage to go and see Skye who was working in the library and Elizabeth to see if Lila was up to a visit.

"Emily, she is asking for it." Fumed Lulu. "Just because her dad was a gangster she thinks she knows it all about jail and stuff. She doesn't know my brother."

"Lulu, right now Lucky doesn't even know himself. You need to let this go and you also have to stop attacking the Jones girls. They are not at fault for Lucky's arrest. He is. He is the one who kidnapped Georgie. Do you think that those people who grabbed Carly should get a free pass? This Ric Lansing if he should ever wakeup, for example."

"That is different." She huffed.

"How is it different, as far as I can see, there is no difference except that Lucky is your brother?"

"He is also Nik's brother; I wonder how he would feel to hear you talking about Lucky that way." She said. "I wonder if he would still be so eager to date you then."

"We have discussed this, Lulu. Emily and I are in total agreement. I will help Lucky anyway possible but the facts are he kidnapped two people. While he was lied to in regards to Carly, he tried to grabbed Elizabeth because he wanted to." Nik said entering the room.

"If Elizabeth hadn't dumped him." She started stubbornly.

"So Elizabeth is at fault because she is married to someone else? What happened to being angry that he slept with Sam McCall in Mom's bed?"

"Nik, Lucky doesn't remember, why do they have to punish him for something he doesn't remember? I just want him to have a second chance, to have an opportunity to find someone to love like you did."

After the young blond left, Nik asked how Emily was doing?

"Better, I have a treatment this afternoon; do you want to come with me?" She asked.

"Yes, I will bring our book. Emily are you upset that I hired Lucky an attorney?"

"No, I understand. We all do. Nik I just want him to see someone and get some help, but the thing is even Lainey thinks he is faking still having no memories. According to Tony Jones, his neural pathways are being stimulated."

"Are you sure that you really think that or do you believe Jason?" He asked a little leery of having this conversation.

"I think when he first woke up he didn't remember anything, but I think he is well aware that he is in serious trouble and is faking it. His verbal abuse of Jason pretty much proves that." She said.

Lila listened to Elizabeth as the younger girl poured out her heart then said "I agree, I do think that Lucky is trying to manipulate you. Have you asked Alan to allow you to stay away from his case?"

"I already did, but Lucky is allowed to walk around, the police officer just has to be with him. He keep coming up to the hub and flirting." With her first laugh of the day, she said. "Rather badly at that."

"I heard what you asked Jason, I think you are correct but I also think that Lucky is going to find out that lying is just making things worse." Said Lila. "Now tell me about this wedding we are attending tomorrow. I think that it is lovely that Alexis found someone who truly accepts her for her. Mac Scorpio has been through a lot since his arrival in town, so they should do very well together."

As they talked, Skye and Sage entered along with Monica who was always happy to see her daughter in law. Skye could not get the words that Monica had once said out of her mind, she found she liked the idea of Elizabeth as a sister. She had more than just Emily's sweetness; she had a small streak of bad girl in her that appealed to the red head.

Lila and Elizabeth were amused to realize that Sage's urgent business had been talking Skye into attending the wedding with her Uncle. When she appealed to Elizabeth, the young wife understood the reasoning behind the refusal and she said to Sage that they had to get going.

"I guess we had better get back before Carly blows a gasket." Said the younger girl sadly. She had thought setting up for this wedding would have been more fun. Once they were in the car, she asked why Elizabeth didn't want Skye seeing Lorenzo.

"That's not it. I just didn't want their first date to be in front of her ex." She explained "Alexis and Jasper Jax are very close, he is going to be at the wedding."

"Of, I forgot about that. I guess that means no pushing her to catch the bouquet." She said with a laugh.

"We have plans for that bouquet; you had better pass that around to your friends." Warned Elizabeth as they arrived at the hotel.

"May I ask whom?"

"Emily. She has been crushing on Nik since she was a teenager."

Lucky waited until the doctors had left then went back to the window. So far they seemed to be buying that he didn't have any memories, that would only work for so much longer. Soon he would have to start remembering things. Deciding to start with his early memories, he went through them to seen what he could use.

The next part was to slowly ease into his past here with Emily, then onto Elizabeth. She would soon be there waiting on him hand and foot. Her guilt would ensure that. All he had to do was play the angles. Wishing he could recall who had shot him, he needed that information before moving forward too much. He had over heard a couple of the cops talking and he knew that Durant was dead, along with the doctor. Sam was gone too, which was a shame. She had been fun while it had lasted.

He had thought about his assets and liabilities. On his side was Nik and Lulu, Aunt Bobbie, his father when he finally showed up. Emily and Elizabeth could be brought over and maybe Alexis. Lansing wasn't supposed to wake up. Scott Baldwin seemed to be dragging his feet when it came to charging him, so that was also good. Mac hated him for Georgie, so he was out.

At least he had the money that Sam had given to him to hide. Luckily he had never actually deposited it, it was hidden someplace that only Elizabeth knew about. Morgan as well, but he doubted the mobster ever went there. His main liability was that he had missing memories, Morgan didn't believe him. That was a given, but since it was his plan to create doubts between the so-called happy couple that worked in his favor.

Jason sat down stunned, then looked up at Mac Scorpio and said "Who all knows?"

"The coroner, Alexis and you. She told me that it was important for you to know. That it isn't about Mob business. Otherwise you and I would not be having this conversation. Miss Miller; thank you for coming so soon."

"You are quite welcome. Do we need to come down to the station to answer questions?" She asked.

"No, the DNA matches, so I have nothing to even question your client about. Morgan, for some reason Alexis said that Sam was a danger to our families. What do I have to know that I don't?"

"There is someone in your department who is dirty."

"I gather we are not talking about the men who work for you." He said dryly.

"No, a cop besides Spencer was working on Carly's kidnapping."

Mac sat down then said tiredly. "I was aware that the man who shot Spencer was a cop, I thought he was someone on your payroll. I gather he isn't?"

"No, in fact he is responsible for Lucky, the doctor and more than likely Ric."

"Do you think this person will come after Georgie, is that why one of your men is watching her?"

Jason stiffened then went to the doorway, calling in Francis he asked if he had assigned a guard to the Jones girl.

"No, do you want us to." He asked looking curiously at Mac.

"Discreetly find out who is already watching her; I have an idea, but tell Max or Milo to watch not approach." Turning to the commissioner, he said. "I have something to tell you." Jason explained about the young man, Georgie's attempted rape and her secret guardian angel.

"So this gangster's son is watching over my daughter? Why didn't she tell me about it?"

"I think she doesn't realize it is still going on, but we have suspected for a while. He makes frequent trips this way, but my men don't get too close since his side is watching him."

"I need to talk to Georgie."

"Mac." Said an entering Alexis. "Jason asked me not to mention it while he was still my client, but I did talk to Georgie about it. All she recalls is a presence that kept her feeling safe, and then she got back the stuff that was taken from her. That you know. We don't think he is a threat, and he seems to be staying away other than when things heat up here. If you make a big deal out of it, it will draw her attention that is something we don't want."

Mac thought about it, then said. "I want you to keep Alexis up to date about this, since you can not tell me."

Carly was sitting in the coffee shop across from the office where AJ worked when he walked in with Jax. Smiling slightly, she said. "Just the two people I was hoping to talk to as soon as my body let me get up."

The blond Aussie looked at Carly and was amused to see the milk mustache but didn't warn her. "Why are you looking for me?"

Carly sighed as the waitress brought her over another large strawberry milkshake and glared at AJ before answering Jax. "I can't believe I am saying this but as the "Maid of Honor, slash Best Friend of Honor; you are responsible for hosting the Bridal shower."

Thinking quickly, Jax said. "Isn't that a woman's job?"

"So is being Maid of Honor." She snapped still upset that he had gotten the job.

AJ tried not to laugh at the disgruntled look on Carly's face. She was still upset about not being allowed to eat burgers. At one time being compared to Sonny Corinthos and being called a food Nazi would have sent him straight to the nearest bar, instead he just grinned and handed her another healthy choice.

"Jax. You are the host; all you have to do is show up. Elizabeth and I planned everything, the girls decorated the new house. Here are the instructions. If you are not there, I will hire someone to sink that pretty new boat you just ordered to the bottom of the harbor."

Getting the feeling that she might just do it, he asked why him?

"Because you didn't have the courtesy to tell Alexis to find a woman for the job." She said sweetly. "Now if you gentlemen will excuse me my son and I are going to the park to watch Michael play ball."

Jax turned and stared as she left the coffee shop with AJ calling out, "A girl, remember the test said we are having a daughter."

"The test is wrong. So when Morgan arrives you will just have to accept it. Also remember when I am right you owe me a shopping trip, in fact if I was you I would make reservations for the ELQ jet right now, or you could ask Jax to borrow his." She said still laughing as the door closed.

Shaking his head, AJ went back to his business meeting with the blond, they soon had all the details for the new boat worked out, then Jax had to ask. "Didn't you tell me that the tests showed a girl, why is Carly insisting it is a boy?"

Looking up from his computer, AJ grinned and said. "Carly is swearing the tests are wrong, that her intuition says that we are having a boy, his name is to be Morgan. That is all there is to it. I learned a long time ago, not to argue."

When Jax arrived at the Lakehouse, he found the women in complete chaos. "What is going on here?"

"We are playing a game, here, take this piece of string, and then knot it for all the letters in your name." Said Maxie before she turned and asked Elizabeth if she had to use her real name or her nickname.

"Whatever you want to use."

As they finished one game and moved on to another, Jax was starting to sweat. By the time the food was eaten, and for once he was glad that Carly was in charge since that meant nothing was on little plates and served morsel sized.

"Now we can open the presents." Grinned Maxie as she rushed to get her new baby sister situated then picking up Jax's gift, handed it to Alexis. "Georgie, don't forget to write down who bought what so that we can send out the thank you notes for her."

Jax could not get why the women had laughed at his present; a nice glass set was a practical gift that anyone could use. Then when the rest of the presents were opened he got the joke and was ready to crawl under a table. Not a pleasant spot for a sophisticated man of the world.

"Oh my god. Elizabeth Webber, I will not be able to wear this." Said Alexis holding up the black lace corset with accessories. "I also want to know if you have ever worn anything like this for my client?" She finished by asking the question on everyone else's mind.

Elizabeth looked at Lila and blushed, then said. "Jason seems to have a thing for me in his dress shirts."

Maxie, who had been shocked at the idea of Alexis wearing the corset, relaxed and asked. "Come on, tell us you have never just worn his leather jacket." To the laughter of the entire room.

"I refuse to answer without my attorney present." She said with a straight face.

"I thought Diane was your attorney." Asked Monica pointing to the smartly dressed woman.

"Monica, do you really want to hear the answer to that particular question?" Asked Skye laughing as Jax seemed to turn even whiter.

As the men all arrived at the Grille several hours later, Edward handed out cigars as they entered the room. Jax made a beeline for Ned and AJ who were talking to Jason and one of his men. Grabbing the bottle when the bartender sat it down he drank it straight down.

"Jax, that is hundred year old bottle of brandy you philistine." Said Ned.

"I need this, after today, I need a couple bottles of this and a year on a couch with a shrink." He said shuddering while glaring at Jason. "You should be shot. If you didn't hire Alexis she would not have been down to the station so much, she would have never met Mac. This is all your fault."

AJ leaned against the bar, as he bellowed with laughter drawing the attention of the entire room, as he tried to stop and speak, then just about fell over when he couldn't catch his breath.

Edward shook his head, he knew that the strain of Carly would eventually send his grandson over the bend.

Finally catching his breath, AJ asked "so how was the bridal shower Jax."

"I think that they trade way too much information, starting with your grandmother. My god there are some things a man doesn't want to know."

"What happened, did they want to trade cookie recipes?" Joked Taggert.

The Aussie just glared and decided they could all share in his pain. "No, in fact they were talking about sex, I spent two hours listening to things I never ever want to discuss with a woman again."

Jason winced Carly had struck again. Elizabeth had mentioned that the pregnant woman was upset to not be part of the wedding party, and had plotted some form of revenge.

"Jasper Jax, never talking to woman about sex again, anyone want to wager?" Joked Ned.

Glaring at his friend, Jax said "your grandmother was egging the conversation on, along with Audrey Hardy. I want you to imagine either one of those women having sex, then tell me how you feel. Plus they were all giving Alexis lingerie in many, many forms. My image of Elizabeth is now completely blown to bits. I think I need something more to drink."

Waiting until the crowd had thinned Jason eased over to Jax and said in a menacing tone of voice, "What possible image could you have in that little mind of yours about my wife?

"Morgan, I think you have bigger worries than I do, your grandmother and mother were the ones asking her the questions. I would think twice about wearing you jacket around them anytime soon."