Sorry for the delay. My dad had a procedure and his brother came up for a visit and due to extreme cold temps, ended up staying extra days, so writing wasn't possible. For taking so long, I made sure to give you a much longer chapter. :D Hope you guys enjoy and will share your thoughts and comments. Thank you so very much for all the comments, even when things aren't perfect in real-life, all I have to do is read them and they make my day that much better! Thank you for the likes/faves and reviews!

Chapter Twenty

Elizabeth could hear the people in the penthouse moving around but for the moment, she refused to give anyone anything. Her rushed outing had turned into a complete disaster and she still hadn't found the time to really grasp what everything meant.

She was still trying to comprehend the concept that her 'real' parents, quite possibly could have wanted her, it seemed like such a foreign concept.

The longer she kept her eyes closed, the more the noise of people moving around, came to her. It was like they couldn't not ignore her or possibly it was that they couldn't handle her being so quiet, either way, she just didn't have it in her to worry about those around her.

Finally finding a place in her head, where she could tune out the sound of feet walking and people talking, she was drifting in that weird place between awake and asleep, until, most often the worst word in the English language, but the noise that jarred her from her restful place, was none other than heavy motorcycle boots and the rapid breathing of an angry or worried man.

When she opened her eyes, her breath caught in her throat, she knew he was standing there, she just didn't have a clue how close he was. "Is there something I can do to help you?" She asked softly, averting her eyes.

"Are you okay?" Jason asked just as softly.

"I guess you could say it is what it is. I know you all expect some big showing of emotions but that isn't me. You guys at least knew this was a possibility, I was completely blindsided. The more everyone walks on eggshells, the more I feel the need to. I understand that you guys are late to the game or whatever, but this has been my life since the get go. I will apologize for running away, especially since you are only trying to keep me safe but…maybe you have never had what little freedom you had taken away from you, to know how this feels. I'm a homebody but learning what I have and meeting who I did…it takes some time to wrap my little head around." Elizabeth offered.

Jason could understand where she was coming from, he'd hate having his choices taken away too but reckless behavior always had the biggest consequences, at least in his opinion, some would call him a poster child of all that was reckless.

"I apologize for not telling you that this was a possibility but we didn't want to blindside you and not have any information for you. To be honest, we thought that could be even worse. We don't want to take away your freedom but this situation seems to get more convoluted as we go. You'll learn this isn't me but thanks to the way things have gone, I feel I need to mention that even though Mac is a cop, he is a good guy. He's had a rough year or two and his reaction was probably colored by his losses. I can't honestly say how I would take someone, especially a grown someone, suddenly showing up and telling me I'm their father. When he is able to grasp the situation, I am sure he will be over here day and night…" Jason paused, not wanting to promise something that didn't pertain to him but hating to see the despondent look in her eyes.

It wasn't until that moment that Elizabeth realized that no one had been walking by to check on her. After scanning the room, she noticed they were completely alone. "Jason…" She began but stopped, suddenly unsure how to pose her question.

When he didn't rush her along or try to fill her silent pause, she allowed herself a moment to arrange her thoughts. "Jason, this may not make much sense but…why do you care? I get it, you're a human being, and I'm mostly human…but why?"

Jason's serious expression broke for a moment at her lame joke but he quickly became serious again. He just hoped she'd offer him the same curtesy to gather his own thoughts.

Elizabeth watched a range of emotions flit across his face but remained staid, for some reason, she felt like his answer would answer so much more but also greatly affect her, their future.

How do you admit to a girl you are falling for, who has had such a profound effect on you, in such a short time, that you are basically a man-slut and have never come across someone so complex, beautiful, intriguing, just…amazing, that every person to come before or could possible come after, would pale in comparison.

Deciding that he needed to bare at least a portion of his soul, he asked, "Can I hold your hand?"

Elizabeth cocked an eyebrow at him but tentatively placed her much smaller hand in his large one, feeling an instantaneous zing flow, almost like the blood through her veins.

"I can tell you felt that and that is just one of the reasons but another reason is, I have never met someone like you before. You've lived a life of hard knocks, nothing has been simple and yet, you don't have a problem smiling. When I was in my accident, all I knew was anger and pain, I couldn't find a silver lining to save my soul, as they say but here you are living and not hating everything, at least you don't seem to. You, as cheesy as it sounds, make me want to be a better man. For the first time ever, I look to the future and can see something that isn't darkness and pain." Jason sincerely said.

Before Elizabeth could say anything, everyone who was hiding out in the kitchen, made their way back to the living room. Subtle, they were not.

XxXxXxX

Alan watched as his son looked like a bull in a china shop as he rushed into the room. Not giving the door he had just entered through, a second thought as it stood open, forgotten in his haste, as he leaned over the young woman he had been treating. Being a doctor wasn't an easy thing but until his job was taken care of, he couldn't call her by her name, it was like a bond formed in those moments and in order to do his job with as clear a mind as possible, staying removed from the situation was best for the both of them. Monica had harassed him often about his supposed 'detachment' issues but it worked for him and in the end, that was all that mattered, besides, lots of doctors had little quirks on how they dealt with the stress of the job.

He watched as slowly, first one and then another and another left the room, thinking something was up, he followed the exodus into the kitchen, casting a curious and worrisome look back at his son.

"What's going on?" Alan asked.

Francis, Johnny and Epiphany all looked at him before Francis took the lead for the question. "Jason doesn't seem to realize anyone is in the room with him when Elizabeth is near and she's almost as bad. For whatever reason, Elizabeth almost instantly felt safe in his presence, so with her so on edge, I just thought it would be best to leave them alone. I can't even begin to fathom what she has been through or what she is still going through, so if Jason can bring her some peace, I'd gladly leave the room."

"I've been with her since we…I suppose you could say, went on the run and I have never seen her so comfortable with anyone, especially a man. She may not have my blood in her veins, but that girl is my daughter and I will do 'anything' to see to her wellbeing, whether that be mental or physical." Epiphany said while wringing her hands.

Peeking through the door, Alan just couldn't compute this Jason with the Jason of the last few years. When he chose to speak to them, it was with barely contained rage. Seeing the absolute softness was such a change that Alan wasn't sure what to make of it. He contemplated asking someone about the changes but wasn't sure he'd get an honest answer. Feeling like a peeping Tom, Alan slowly let the kitchen door close before taking a seat.

"So…we just sit in here until?" He queried.

"We wait." Was said in symphony.

XxXxXxX

Jason looked up as everyone filed out of the kitchen, wanting to strangle each and every one of them for interrupting them but now wasn't the time he bitterly decided.

"Yes?" He said instead.

"Sonny needs me and Alan is needed back at the hospital but he wanted to check his patient before he left." Johnny said in the softer voice he always used around Elizabeth.

"Oh…" Jason began but stopped as he looked at the clock over the mantel, realizing almost two hours had passed. "I…sorry. Elizabeth, while he's doing his exam, is there anything you are craving for supper?"

"I wouldn't say no to a cheeseburger." She said before looking questioningly at Jason's father, "would that be alright?"

"I suppose that would be okay but I need you to avoid as much salt and caffeine as possible, you lost a lot of fluids today and in order to maintain what I've already given you and in a perfect world, increase your intake, try to avoid anything that could possibly dehydrate you more. No fries, that's just too much salt, perhaps a salad?" Alan offered.

"No fries, but…it's a burger…" Elizabeth said with a pout. Seeing no one was moved by her plight, she said, "Fine, no fries, a Caesar salad then?"

"Umm…that wouldn't be much better…" Alan said then trailed off. It was a weird feeling but it felt like he was trying to take candy from the cutest baby and being judge as a miser by those listening to their conversation.

"What if she shared someone's fries with them and promises to drink water with her meal, plus 2 more bags of saline and I try to get her to drink a glass of water every thirty to forty minutes until bed?" Epiphany asked. Being a nurse, she knew that was overkill but Dr. Quartermaine seemed to want to err on the side of caution, so she'd do what she could to help them both out and hopefully prevent an argument from her stubborn daughter.

"That sounds fair and should be enough fluids." Alan said as he moved closer, "I don't care if it is the smallest thing, if you feel any odd sensations or just unwell, please feel free to phone me or my wife, we can admit you under a false name if you need to go back to the hospital. I'd rather not take a chance on your life, okay?"

Elizabeth offered him a small smile before nodding her head. Logically, she knew he wouldn't hurt her but he put her on edge slightly. "Thank you."

Realizing that she was still unsure of him, Alan spoke through the whole exam, explaining why and what he was doing. Thankfully, for her peace of mind and his stress level, the exam concluded quickly. "Have a good night and here's hoping you have no need for me again." He said softly before taking his leave after nodding to the three people loosely standing around his patient.

"Well…this has been a long day and you've caused quite the unrest missy…I love you but don't you ever pull another bone headed move like that again." Epiphany said before walking out of the room.

Johnny didn't have a single thing to say so he offered a parting wave before he too left.

Francis watched as Jason moved closer before deciding he too would give them some time. He wanted to get mad at Elizabeth for fleeing but he couldn't really hold it against her either, so instead of risking her trust, what little he had, he chose silence.

"The foods been ordered, I'm going to get you a glass of water, why don't you try to rest until supper arrives." Jason said before he too, quickly left the room. No matter what other's thought, even the 'borg' needed a moment to gather his emotions. When he first got home, he was worried about her health and wellbeing, now that one was taken care of, the other could be worked on, when he didn't feel so raw.

"Sure…thanks." Elizabeth said before closing her eyes. Whether they meant to or not, she felt like she was being scolded, like a bad little puppy that piddled on the carpet…at one point, she expected Epiphany to shake a newspaper in her face.

It really felt like she was 14 again and she'd just covered the carpet in different colors of paint. Sure it was an accident but Epiphany took great pleasure in chiding her and her choices. Years later, she could admit that trying to walk in Piph's high heels before putting away her painting supplies wasn't her best decision but…she had been curious and got caught up in acting older and ended up painting the carpet and her butt in a rainbow...

"She was right though, it has been a very, very long day."

XxXxXxX

Mac looked at the elevator and back to the entrance. In the last hour or so, he'd repeated this motion, at least 100 times, maybe more.

"You are a cop…where did your courage go man? You've faced barrages of bullets, bombs…facing a wayward daughter should not be this hard!" Mac said to himself. Completely unaware of the Corinthos/Morgan guards watching him with some amusement.

As he strode towards the entrance, re-enacting this same movement for at least the fiftieth time, he was stopped by a voice.

"Excuse me, Mr. Scorpio; is there something I can help you with?" Enzo asked, keeping his face blank.

"A bullet to the brain, a stop at ferncliff or possibly a good dose of courage?" Mac whispered under his breath.

"Seeing as you are the police commissioner, I don't think I can help you with the first, the second sounds extreme and the third…I can look up old 'Dear Abby' advice…" Enzo offered, this time allowing a smile to creep out.

For the first time in days, possibly even months, Mac laughed.

"I guess you weren't expecting me to hear you?" Enzo asked.

After getting a handle on his laughing, Mac said, "You could say that. Sorry…I need to see my…wow, saying it in my head is weird, saying daughter out loud, makes me feel nuttier than a Christmas fruitcake but…I need to see my daughter."

"How'd you know she was here?" Enzo asked.

"Well, the PCPD may be absolutely useless when it comes to catching you guys in the act, a little deduction lead me here. After your boss chewed my ass about calling an ambulance, I figured he'd rush to get her out of there. I'm sorry…like you need to listen to this, you are not my therapist…not that I have one." Mac hurriedly said. "My daughter, can I see her?"

Enzo wasn't one to kick someone when they were down, but the Commissioner almost made it too easy to tease him. "You are more than welcome to go on up, Jason left notice that if you showed up, to let you go. She's in Jason's penthouse right now, so go ahead. Just remember, you are here for your daughter…"

Feeling like there was a hint of threat in that comment, Mac chose now was not the time to worry about it. He had more than enough on his plate. After kicking Felicia out of his house and making sure she understood that she wasn't taking the girls with her, he waited around to make sure the locks were changed, although, most people in his life we more than adept and bypassing any lock or security feature, he felt he had to do it, at least for a modicum of peace of mind.

As the doors closed on the elevator, Mac suddenly felt like his stomach remained on the main floor, as he steadily climbed higher. He briefly wondered if he should go back down to try and catch the damn thing but figured the guard had enough ammunition on him, what with the last hour or more of indecision…

Man…this had been the longest day in the history of the world, in Mac's opinion.

XxXxXxX