A/N – Thanks for all of the great comments and feedback! Guest – Re: the decision making – Completely agree. The threat to Liz and the rest of them is very layered. There's going to be a lot going on. You won't find out for a long time. Sorry. Lots of twists and turns to come!

Chapter 13 – New York

Johnny read the note and then looked at Jason. "Fuck."

"What do I do? Should I tell her?" Jason asked.

Johnny sighed. "She does have a right to know."

"We have got to find out who's doing this."

"I agree. I'll see what I can trace and I'll get back to you."

Jason went back into the house.

"Everything okay?" Liz asked.

"I have to tell you something." He pulled her onto his lap again. "That package had a message in it for me about you."

There is a mix of loathing and sadness in his eyes. "Just tell me."

"It warned that next time, you won't be so lucky."

She laid her head on his chest, thankful for the security she felt in his arms. "I'll do whatever I can to protect you."

"I know."

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

The next day, Jason helped Liz pack for New York. She is getting around much better, although he is still worried and insists on carrying her up the stairs. They still have no leads on who had shot at them. He loaded their things into the limo and then they left. After a while, he observed her staring out the window, wondering what she is thinking, and then he took a few calls.

"What are you thinking about?"

Liz turned to him and smiled. "Just life."

Jason smiled back. "We're almost there."

"I can't wait." She loves visiting The City. There is so much to do and so many artists. It always inspires her.

The limo pulled up to the hotel and they went inside. Johnny is going to shadow them in case there is any trouble. They checked in and dressed for the show and then met Sonny and Claudia for dinner.

"You look stunning," Claudia said to Liz.

"Thank you. I love your dress as well."

Liz is wearing a charcoal grey dress. The fabric cascaded down her body and her hair is swept up. People usually wear black, to these events, but she wanted to be different. Claudia has on an off the shoulder black gown that is fitted and shows off her toned body.

They sat and started chatting as the guys perused the menu.

Once they figured out what they wanted to eat, Liz turned to Claudia. "So, tell me more about John."

Claudia smiled, the pride she has for her brother shining forth. "Well, he travels all over the world playing. He just finished writing a concerto and he's devastatingly handsome and has been with his girlfriend for around a year now."

"Do you like her?" Liz asked curiously.

"For the most, part I do. She's a wild one, but she seems to really love him."

"Is she going to be there tonight?"

"Yes. We'll probably go out for drinks afterward."

Liz nodded. She is curious as to what kind of woman Johnny is into. From what Claudia had said, she seems like she'll be a lot of fun.

They ate and then made their way down to the limo and headed to the concert hall.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

The lights went up and they announced John. There is a full orchestra in the pit and a lone piano in the middle of the stage.

Liz couldn't help but smile. John has a grin that could light up New York. They are in the front row and she observed as John gazed fondly at his sister before sitting down on the bench.

Liz found herself holding her breath as the music started playing. It is light but melancholy at the same time. It has so many layers but yet there is still simplicity to it. By the time he had finished playing Liz had tears in her eyes. John looked up and saw her face and nodded in appreciation.

He immediately went into another score and this time he took the audience on an uplifting journey and Liz smiled throughout it.

There was an intermission and they went into the VIP room.

Jason had watched his wife the entire time and was mesmerized by the different emotions she displayed as the music flowed through her. He didn't think he ever would have connected to the music if he hadn't listened through her eyes.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Jason grabbed a glass of champagne and then approached her. "Here."

"Thanks."

Liz sipped it and then gazed into his eyes.

"You seemed to really enjoy his playing."

Liz smiled. "Yes. It was absolutely beautiful. There are no words to adequately describe it."

John moved behind her. "Thank you."

Liz spun around and grinned. "It was a pleasure to listen to you play. I was very moved. Your music is so expressive. It's like I can feel every rise and fall; almost like the music has a pulse."

He grinned. "I very much appreciate that you get me. I'm John."

"Elizabeth."

Jason cleared his throat.

Liz giggled. "This is my husband, Jason." They shook hands.

Claudia embraced him. "You were fantastic."

"Thank you, sis."

He said hello to Sonny and then turned back to Liz. "I think you're going to like what I'm going to play next. I'll see you all afterward."

They made their way back to their seats and the stage light flicked on and John walked out to much applause.

He headed to the bench. "I hope you like this." He found Liz and smiled. "This is dedicated to Elizabeth."

Liz grinned as Jason grimaced. Claudia chuckled at his reaction. Her brother is a big flirt.

John started playing. The beginning was sad; so sad that Elizabeth cried. Jason didn't know what to do so he just put his arm around her and handed her the tissue that Claudia provided.

But slowly, the music began to climb. The orchestra magnificently accented his playing and soared until the tone triumphantly lifted and joy burst through and seemed to fill every crevice of the room. John's fingers seemed to take on a life of their own as they feverishly flowed over the ivory keys and released the passion for music that John held so close to his heart. When he finished, he looked spent and everyone gave him a standing ovation. Liz glanced at Claudia who is wiping away tears too.

They milled around for a while and then they were led to John's dressing room.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

John had showered and changed before greeting them. There are a few other people there who are congratulating him as well.

He walked over and hugged Liz.

"Thank you so much. That was absolutely breathtaking."

He could tell that she had cried which made him smile. Connecting with his audience is very important to him. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."

He grabbed someone from behind him and pulled her around. "This is my girl, Tess."

Tess smiled at them as John introduced her. She is blonde and gorgeous.

Liz went over to a couch and sat next to Claudia and Tess joined them. Claudia handed them both a glass of champagne.

They watched John work the crowd and started chatting.

"So, how's he really doing?" Claudia asked.

Tess rolled her eyes. "He has insomnia. He's moody and ridiculously insatiable, but now that the concert is over, he'll chill out a little."

Liz noticed that the whole time Tess had been talking, she had been intensely staring at John and he looked like he wanted to throw her down right there and take her.

"How do you do that?"

Tess glanced at her. "Do what?"

"Make him want you so badly."

Tess was thrown by the question. She looked over at Claudia who shrugged. "Do you realize that Jason stared at you the entire concert liked he was hypnotized? And he's been standing over there looking at you like he wants to…"

Claudia nudged her side.

Tess glanced at Liz and then back at Jason and then back at Liz.

She smirked. "You haven't had sex with him yet, have you?"

Liz blushed.

"Seriously?"

"It's complicated," Liz explained.

"Incoming," Claudia said under her breath.

"Well this night just got interesting," Tess muttered.

A/N – Tess is from OLTL. I always thought that Johnny and a well written Tess would be ridiculously hot together.