Chapter 5

Elizabeth was sitting at the kitchen table the next morning when Johnny entered and noticed that she was staring off into space. The whole house had heard her screaming late last night. Francis and himself had entered her bed room to see her in the middle of nightmare. Emily had shooed them out of the room and sat with her friend the rest of the night. Their low murmuring and tears could be heard well into the night. From the look of things, he knew that Elizabeth had never went back to sleep.

Johnny slipped his arms around her and gave her a gentle squeeze. "Hey, sweetie, want a cup of hot chocolate?"

Giving him a small nod, she watched as he made her comfort drink. "Thanks, Johnny."

"Not a problem. Are you hungry?"

"No. I'm good. Everyone else still out?"

"When I came down, Em was asleep in your room and Cam was sprawled out on his bed. Francis left at about 5. He had some business to take care of. Zander, Enzo, and our friends Kurt and Randy are doing perimeter checks." Johnny shoved a hand through his dark brown hair and met her eyes. "We contacted Nik last night. He is bringing a couple more people in."

She nodded. "I figured with all the activity that something was going on today. Do I want to know who is coming back now?"

He sighed. "Probably not. You aren't going to be happy, Lizzie, but you need to trust us. We have been slowly working on taking Sonny down for years, you know that. When Jake died, we moved things up drastically. There are people working with us that you have only seen as enemies. I need you to trust me and Francis on who we are working with."

Uneasy, Elizabeth nodded. "While I may not like someone that you are working with, I do know that you will always protect me, Johnny."

Grabbing her hand, Johnny pulled her over to stand between his legs as he wrapped her in a tight embrace. Elizabeth immediately relaxed into his muscular chest and rested her head on his shoulder. "I need you to know that no matter what happens, Liz, that I am not leaving you again. It almost killed me to walk away from you the last time."

"I was so lost after you went into hiding. Hell, I started a relationship with Jason that was just as unhealthy as the one that I had with Lucky. Looking back, I regret ever trusting him after he tried to kill you. I have so many regrets. But in all fairness, I got Jake out of the deal. No matter what, I loved my little boy."

Johnny rubbed her back as her voice broke. "I know, baby, I know."

"Mommy, are you ok?" Cam asked from the doorway where he and Nik were standing.

Quickly wiping away her tears, Elizabeth pasted on a smile and turned toward her little boy. "I am fine, sweetie. I am just a little sad this morning." Hey eyes widened at Nik with surprise. "Hello, Nik."

The prince smirked at her and Johnny, wandering exactly when they had started back up. "Good morning. Zander let me in and Cam here was coming down the steps looking for you."

Johnny made him and Nik some fresh coffee while Elizabeth got Cam settled in the living room with his cereal, toast, and fruit. The little guy was insisting on cartoons, which was fine since she knew that the men needed to talk to her. Coming back into the kitchen, she accepted the new cup of cocoa from Johnny as she sat back down into her chair.

Looking at both men's serious expressions, she sighed. "Go ahead, out with the news."

"Um, well, I made contact with two people last night that are on their way here to keep Jason off his game. A.J. and Jerry Jacks will be arriving here later today."

Shocked, Elizabeth stared at Nik. "Jerry? Jerry Jacks? A.J. Quartermaine?"

"Yeah, A.J. has been gathering all the information to help us quietly. Francis helped him fake his death just like he did with Zander and Emily. He has been a huge help throughout the entire process. Jerry, although unorthodox, has been keeping an eye on you for several years to keep you safe. He was out of the country for awhile because of problems caused by his less than legal activities."

"Well, I can understand A.J. wanting to help. After all, Sonny and Jason ruined his life. But Jerry? He held a gun on me while I was pregnant when he pulled his stunt at the Metrocourt."

Nik understood her reaction. When he had been approached by Francis and Johnny, he had been shocked that Jerry was actually in Port Charles with the intent to keep Elizabeth safe. That Lorenzo had saved his life years ago and that he owed his daughter had been explained, but it had taken Nik over a year to accept that he really was there to help. However, the prince understood that he could not explain why Jerry was there to help. With all the upheaval already going on in her life, there was no way that Elizabeth could handle hearing about Lorenzo.

"Elizabeth, you need to trust us. I promise that we would never let anyone close that was not on our side."

"I had doubts too, but he really is here to help," Nik added.

Still unconvinced, but trusting them, she conceded. "Fine, but I don't want Cam left alone with him."

The back door opened and Zander entered. He motioned for Johnny subtly while Elizabeth was talking with Nik. The other man followed him out onto the back porch. "Francis called. Sam was arrested by Taggart this morning after the video of her driving away after hitting Jake made it online. Monica is throwing the Quartermaine name around trying to get her out," he said in disgust. "Jason was shocked, but we were informed that he called Diane to get her bail."

"Jesus! What does it take for the idiot to get a clue?"

"I never really liked Morgan, but to protect the woman that threatened Elizabeth and the boys and then killed his son, I never dreamed that he was that brain damaged." Zander frowned. "This is going to hit her hard."

Johnny nodded, wanting to strangle his former boss. "I know. We need to be prepared for the fallout to head our way. Where is Francis now?"

In spite of himself, Zander smirked. "Carly cornered him on the docks. She wants to know how when him and Liz started seeing one another."

Laughing, Johnny shook her head. "Just wait, she will shit a brick when I go out in public. She will be so confused about what is going on that her head will spin."

Francis entered the back yard, still amused by Carly's questions. He saw his two partners and headed over. "A.J. and Jerry will be arriving on Spoon Island around seven tonight, then will use the tunnels to get to the warehouse. Enzo is picking them up to bring them here. John called. His uncle heard all the way in Italy that a hit was ordered and someone accepted. He is stepping up the time frame. John will be here tomorrow around midnight. Jason is distracted with the problems going on with Sam."

Frowning at hearing that John was headed there, Johnny shook his head to clear his thoughts. Focusing on Zander, he let out a wicked smile. "Take out Corinthos-Morgan shipments that are heading into dock tonight. I want their main warehouse fire bombed along with the coffee shop. I am going to deal with Sonny personally."

"Fine. I will need the guys with me tonight. Are you two going to be here with Emily, Liz, and Cam?"

"Us along with our company moving in tonight," Francis confirmed. "Either Johnny or I will pick them up and bring them here. That will be the only time that there will be only one of us here."

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

Slipping into the study through the patio door, he smirked. Somethings never change, he thought. They should have learned that nowhere was completely impenetrable. Standing in the shadows, he waited on his mark to enter the room, thinking on the scene that he had left at the cottage.

Elizabeth had greeted A.J. with a reserved hug, but had completely ignored Jerry other than a glare. The devilish Australian had laughed with delight at her attitude. Francis and Johnny had to hid their laughs, knowing that the side Elizabeth had hidden for years was starting to be expressed.

Hearing the door open, Johnny stepped deeper into the shadows, listening to his former boss yell.

"Dammit, Max! I want Spinelli on all the footage from the warehouse and coffee shop! Someone blew my property up and they are going to pay! Where is Jason?" the irate mob boss bellowed.

Max grimaced, hating to deal with Sonny when he was so out of control. "He was at the station dealing with Taggart and the FBI. He said that he was leaving as soon as they stopped questioning Sam."

Sonny growled. "He should just leave her there. It is what he pays Diane for. Get the geek!"

Waiting until the large Italian closed the door after him, Johnny stepped silently out of his hiding spot. "Gee, Sonny, is something wrong? You sound upset," he taunted the white faced man.

Sonny tried to hid his unease, but it was clearly written on his face. "O'Brien, what the hell are you doing here? Wanting to protect St. Elizabeth? You can't keep her and the Zacchara whelp safe," he taunted, noticing as Johnny's face reddened with rage. "Now, get out of my house and I will give you a head start before killing you."

Green eyes focused on the dark beady eyes of Sonny. Taking the safety of his gun with the silencer, Johnny aimed the gun straight at the other man's head. "Oh, Sonny, you should known that threatening Elizabeth and Cam was a bad idea. Hiring a hit out was much worse. You should be happy that I am here instead of John Zacchara." He paused at the surprise on the other man's face. "What? Didn't Jason tell you? He helped Zacchara fake his death eight years ago and promised to keep Elizabeth safe. Needless to say, Morgan has not fulfilled his end of the arrangement."

"He betrayed me?" Sonny shouted, enraged.

Johnny gave a dark laugh. "Oh, yeah, he did. See, Jason was working both sides at that time. But John Zacchara had something that Jason wanted...Elizabeth. When you and Anthony ordered him killed, Jason helped so that there was no one standing in his way of wining the lady. He didn't learn that she was pregnant until after he helped the young mobster escape. Emily convinced Zander to say that he was the father since he looked like John in some ways. Then Jason got ensnared with Courtney, but then they fell out. Unfortunately, him and Liz got together for awhile and had Jake. Bet you hated that, huh. Must burn you up that Jason had a child with a woman without asking."

"What is the point in this, O'Brien? I don't care about the history. I will run Port Charles when all is said and done."

"The point is, Sonny, that you are dying tonight. I know all about the hit man that was hired. I also know about how you stole Elizabeth's inheritance from her that was rightfully hers from Lorenzo. Did you think that Francis was not watching over her, even if I was dead? Then Jerry and A.J. gathered more proof for us."

"A.J. is dead," he spat distastefully.

"About as dead as I am, or even Zacchara. I am going to help him get rights to Michael after you are dead. Too bad that you couldn't keep that little boy safe. Must be hard to know that your adoptive son is in a coma because of your arrogance and stupidity."

Sonny snarled at the man that he had hated years ago. He had always felt that O'Brien was a threat. "Jason will kill you if you do this," he spat with fear. The intent in the other man's face was clear.

"I can only hope that he does a better job this time of it. If Morgan comes near Elizabeth or Cameron, he will be the one to die, if Zacchara doesn't get to him before hand." Tired of Sonny's empty threats, Johnny pulled the trigger twice without any warning. Watching as his former boss collapsed with two bullet holes between his eyes, he smiled. One threat down, he thought as he slipped quietly from the estate.

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

Jason's night was a nightmare and steadily getting worse. Sam's arrest for Jake's death was a slap in the face for the enforcer. He knew deep down that the proof had to be planted and the video doctored. While Sam had never liked Elizabeth, Jason knew that there was no way that his wife would have ever harmed his son. Sam was not capable of that type of destruction.

He had left his pregnant wife with Diane when Cody had arrived to tell him that Sonny had been killed. It was hard to believe that his mentor and friend was really dead and not faking it. However, he had no time to mourn or question what was going on. Someone was attacking the organization and he had to put a stop to it. The only problem was that he feared Johnny and Francis were behind everything that was happening.

"Jason, do you want us to get Corelli and O'Brien and bring them in?" Cody Paul questioned.

Turning to him, Jason shook his head. "Not yet, there is too much going on at the moment and we will never get close to them." He pinched his nose to ward of the headache that was starting. "If they are at Elizabeth's, they are untouchable there. Secure all of our other warehouses and safe houses. We are going to have to deal with this carefully."

Max frowned. "If they killed Mr. C, they need to pay for it."

"They will, but we have to be certain that we can take them down. They have the backing of the families right now."

"What about grabbing Miss Webber?"

Jason sighed. It was not something that he even wanted to think about right now, but it might be the only way to save the organization and protect his family. But Jason knew that if he went after her, he would have a war zone on his hand, let alone he didn't know if he could do it. While he would never hurt Elizabeth, they might think he would, which would give him the upper hand. However, he was only going to do that if nothing else worked.

"No, my sister is in that house too. It is too dangerous. Tighten security and get Spinelli at the penthouse. I want proof that Corelli or O'Brien killed Sonny. Then, and only then, will we move forward with retaliation."

Driving back to the PCPD, he cursed again when he saw Taggart. He would love to know how that man came to be back in Port Charles. There was no way that Sam would get a fair chance with him heading the investigation.

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

Slipping back into the house after checking with the guards, Johnny met the knowing stares of Francis, Jerry, and A.J. "It is taken care of. Did all the other men get away safely?"

"Yep, not one injury for us," Jerry drawled.

"What is next?"

Turning to A.J., Francis sighed. "We have to wait on John. Then we are getting Corinthos-Morgan away from Jason. We need him completely powerless for when we put the final nail in Sam's coffin."

"I just don't understand what is my brother's fascination with the brainless and skanky woman that he tends to gravitate towards. How could he walk away from Elizabeth and his son?" A.J. questioned.

Johnny snorted. "No idea, but she is not even in the same league as the slime that he married."

"I would hope not," Emily muttered as she came down the stairs. "Elizabeth is having nightmares again about the hit and run."

"Is she still asleep?" Francis questioned.

"Yeah, I just needed a break. It is killing me listening to her cry in her sleep. I don't know how she has made it this long by herself with only Nik supporting her."

The others watched as Johnny walked up the stairs without another word. Entering her dark room, he kicked his boots off and climbed into the large bed and pulled her petite body into his arms. Immediately, Elizabeth relaxed while still asleep and cuddled in closer to him. Brushing a soft kiss against her cheek, Johnny held her as she slept peacefully.

Francis glared at the stairs, knowing that Johnny and Elizabeth were starting on a road that he was unable to stop. He knew that Johnny had never let his feelings for her go, and seeing how comfortable she was with him, he knew that it went both ways. "John is not going to be happy at all."

"Of course not, but he has known of her other relationships. Did he expect her to never move on?"

Glaring at Jerry, he sat on the arm of the couch. "No, but he sent O'Brien and myself to keep her safe until he could arrive. I know that they have a history and was afraid that this would happen."

"I am happy that he is here. Elizabeth needs him. If John had not left her to begin with, this would have never happened, Francis. Don't get me wrong, Liz was tore up when she thought he was dead, but she did move on. Johnny was there when she gave birth and never walked away until Jason almost killed him." Emily shrugged. "Let them deal with it. Besides, isn't it Elizabeth's choice who she wants? And Johnny told her earlier that John was returning tomorrow night. I think she made her decision."

Jerry laughed. "I think that tomorrow should be interesting."

Francis was about to reply when Zander entered and interrupted. "i just saw someone driving by that left this town years ago. He has connections to Sonny and Jason."

"Who?"

"Roy Delucca."

Francis cursed. He knew that Roy had been one of the better bomb makers back in the day. "Tighten security. Jerry, find him and figure out what he is doing here."

"He is an explosives man."

"I know, but be sure that is what is going on before dealing with him."

Jerry nodded and grabbed his coat, leaving the silent and tense room.

"A.J., are you ready to make your presence known tomorrow?" Emily asked with a sly look. "I think that we should go see Edward. I wonder if he will be like Monica?"

Her brother grimaced as if in pain. "I hope not, but Jason was always the golden boy. Hopefully after I show him the tape that I am sure that Mom is keeping away, she will lose his support on the free Sam campaign. Without grandfather, Mom will be powerless to help Sam."

After saying goodnight, Francis went up to the room that he was using. He paused in the doorway of Elizabeth's room and saw the two sleeping individuals wrapped in one another arms. Shaking his head, he only hoped that O'Brien knew what he was doing. He had loved Liz for so long, and Francis was scared that she would go back with John. He only wanted everyone that he cared about safe and happy, but he knew that someone was going to end up hurt. He only prayed that it did not turn out to be Elizabeth. Sighing, he walked to room after taking a quick peep in on Cam and saw him sound asleep.