A/N – Thanks for comments! * Guest – regarding Liz blaming herself. She is not saying she's responsible for everything, but owning up to her part in it which she should do. To me, that's awesome (instead of being like the rest of the losers in town. Lol.) Jason usually gets blamed for everything in a lot of the liason fanfics and no one ever seems to complain, in fact they cheer it. I don't give either one a pass. Liz has to face her part in this in order to move forward. Jason's part will come. I'm never one sided. They both had serious trust issues for valid reasons and horrible self-esteem when it comes to love and they both drove me crazy. When I think of the conversations Liz had with Lucky re: Jason after Jake was kidnapped and even when she asked Jason to give up Jake like his feelings didn't matter, it was like daggers in my Liason heart. Jason getting back with Sam – another dagger (maybe a cleaver). I have so many knives sticking out my body from those two, I'm surprised I have any blood left. Lol.

Other Guest – about the show and giving up all things Liason. Why let the show ruin them for you? Stop watching like I did and live in fan fiction. Liz and Jason on the show are completely unlikable. I couldn't watch and still write for them. I need them to be crazy about each other. They both deserve that.

Chapter 12

Liz thought about what Emily said for a minute before speaking, the song's lyrics piercing her inner thoughts for a moment.

"And no one will ever know you the way I do

In high definition, I'm dreaming of you

In my disposition I'm losing my cool.

With my everything I'd give anything to be with you."

"We're the king and queen of miscommunication and bad timing. He listened to me go on and on about Lucky and when it came to making a choice between them, I've always chosen Lucky. Back then, there was so much going on with the business and I got hurt and there was the bomb." She sighed heavily. "Your brother tried to protect me, even when I said I didn't care about the danger and just wanted to stay friends. When he would leave, it crushed me because not only do I now know that he was hurting having to watch me with Lucky, but I also lost one of my best friends when everything around me was spiraling out of control. Losing our connection—it affected me more than I could admit. Maybe it was good he left though, because I leaned on him so much and needed to figure things out for myself."

"You're stronger than you give yourself credit for."

"Yea, I know. I think Jason pulled back because he wasn't sure if I really wanted him and knew I had the power to hurt him. He was so worried that I would get killed because of his job, so he was trying to do the right thing, just like I was trying to do what I thought was right regarding staying with Lucky. God knows, he had the power to hurt me, even with my blinders on. I pulled back because of my obligation to Lucky and I think I knew it would kill me if something bad happened and Jason left to protect me. Loving Jason and then losing him just terrified me. I was so hurt regarding Courtney... He did try to apologize a few times about Sonny, but I couldn't see beyond it and pushed him right into Courtney's arms. I forgave Lucky over and over and the first time I'm tested regarding the business, I break if off. I was right to be angry, but I wish I had tried to work through it with him. I think we both buried any feelings we had for each other then. There are things he did that broke my heart and vice versa. Neither of us is without fault and we didn't try to hurt each other on purpose, maybe that is why we stay connected.

Anyway, if we're really going to do this, then I want him to know for sure that I choose him and vice versa. I need to know that he won't walk away. Unfortunately, Sonny and Carly have been his family for so long that he's used to the dysfunction. He needs to know that I'm not going to walk away when things get dangerous and I need to know that he'll put us first if we need him. Cam is not going to understand that daddy Jason had to go help a horse get her hoof out of her mouth."

Emily chuckled. "Wow. I think you guys need to really talk this out after you get Cam back." She hadn't realized just how complex their relationship was.

"Yeah. I know. It has been a long time coming too."

"Are you really okay with the danger?"

She sighed. "I'm not going to lie, I'm scared because I've seen the carnage. Jason can't protect us one hundred percent of the time, but apart, Cam is still in danger right now. I just can't live my life in what if's anymore."

Emily understood. Her friendship with her brother could also be used against Jason too, but she loves him and is not willing to shut him out. "Nikolas is back late tonight."

Liz grimaced.

"Hey!"

"You know I love him, but he'll probably be on Lucky's side."

"I think you're underestimating him."

"And what if I'm right and he doesn't accept you having my back?"

Emily sighed. "Then I'll deal with it." She fiddled with her engagement ring. If Nikolas sided with Lucky after all he did, she wasn't sure how she would deal with it and losing him would break her heart. Besides that, he wasn't the biggest Jason fan.

Sensing her change in demeanor, Liz reached over and squeezed her hand. "You can still be with Nikolas if he disagrees with my choices or has a different opinion of Lucky."

"I know. I just—we've been friends for so long."

"And hopefully, we still have some life left in us."

"Dinner!" Alice said.

"I hope it's something good," Liz said.

Emily grinned. "Are you having cravings?"

"Not crazy ones."

"Well, all you have to do is ask in this household."

"I know."

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Alfred joined Audrey in the kitchen.

"Did you find anything?"

"Yes. Elizabeth is meeting with Claudia Zacchara." He was quite surprised to see them together, but just wished he could have gotten closer. Once Claudia had left, he followed and figured out who she was.

Audrey frowned. "From the crime family?"

"Yes."

"Interesting." She began to pace as she wrung her hands together. "Do you think Elizabeth is in trouble?"

"It didn't appear that she was."

"Maybe she asked for help?"

He nodded. "I will keep tabs on the relationship. I've been focusing my efforts on the witness hoping it will help lead us to Cameron and get Jason out of jail." They just had nothing else to go by since he couldn't infiltrate the Russian organization.

"I have to admit that my granddaughter is stumping me, but at the same time I'm proud that she is standing on her own two feet. I just hope that Claudia will do right by her."

"If I feel that she is in any danger, I will interfere."

Audrey hugged him tightly. "After all these year, I never thought I'd find someone again. I'm glad it's you."

He smiled. "I feel the same way. You were my much needed light."

She pulled back. "Now, we just need to pull Cam from the darkness."

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Jason watched Sam enter the interrogation room. "Is there something wrong?"

A tear fell down her cheek as she sat across from him. "I missed you."

"You're avoiding my question."

Her cheeks puffed out as she blew out a huge breath. "Lucky approached me."

The expression on his face didn't waver. "Did he try to hurt you?"

"No, nothing like that. In fact, he wanted my help to bring Elizabeth down."

Jason is a little surprised that she is admitting it. "What—what did you tell him?"

"Well, at first I said no and then, I thought about maybe pretending to do what he wanted and then double crossing him. I told him that I'd get back to him."

"Do you know where he is staying?"

"No."

Jason shut his eyes for a moment, not sure how he should play this.

"I'm more than capable of making him think I'm on his side."

She always thought she was so smart, but it was growing more apparent to him that maybe she wasn't. "And how are you going to explain your presence here? You don't think he has spies?"

She hadn't thought of that. "I'll bring him some information from talking to you. He'll believe me."

"I can't ask you to do this. Lucky is dangerous and you could get hurt."

Her eyes rolled. "I can handle myself."

He didn't answer because he knew it would lead to an argument.

"You didn't look happy to see me when I walked in."

"I—you surprised me."

"I'm not sure what I can do to get us back to the way we were. You're so distant now and I'm really trying here. Going after the Russians and dealing with Lucky, that should show you how much you mean to me."

"Sam, honestly, I just—it's hard to concentrate on our relationship when Cam is out there somewhere."

"You mean because you're too busy worrying about Elizabeth?"

His eyes narrowed. "Please don't go there right now."

"Why not? I'm bending over backwards trying to get you out of jail and I don't even think you care."

She stood and he sighed.

"Sam…"

"No Jason, I'm not walking away without a fight. I basically sacrificed my body for you and can't have children because of it. We have come too far to just give up on each other. You are the love of my life."

He watched her leave and then clenched his fists, realizing that she never said what she was going to do about Lucky. His relationship with Elizabeth weighed heavily on his mind.

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Claudia eased her way up to the bar and sat down. The room had practically come to a stop when she waltzed in wearing a slinky, backless red dress that was short and made her look like she had legs for days.

The bartender let out a low whistle. "Well, you certainly know how to make an entrance. Are you sure you're not lost?" She was not typical of the females that regularly frequented the biker bar.

"I'm right where I need to be."

"What can I get you?"

"Vodka on the rocks."

"Coming right up…"

Claudia turned around, only to find every man staring at her. She smirked and turned back around and soon sensed someone slip next to her. Her contact had been given details about her outfit. He threw some money on the counter, took the beer that was handed to him and grabbed her glass. "Let's go."

She followed him as the bartender finally saw the back of her dressed and a sly grin graced his face.

The man led her to a table in the back corner, far from prying eyes and ears. They got comfortable.

"What do you have for me?"

When he leaned forward, his dark, long hair fell into his face. "There are rumors that Karpov has the boy close by."

"Do you know where?"

He shook his head. "But, I do know that Morgan already looked there." Sources told him that there were several properties being investigated.

She took a sip of her drink. "So, he must be out of sight."

"Yes. It didn't sound like they had plans to move him, so I'm assuming that it's still secure."

Claudia chewed on her straw. If Jason had already staked the place out and saw nothing, then she'd have to look deeper. The problem was finding out the details. Her tech, Nick, was already looking into family connections. "Anything else?"

He shook his head to move his hair out of his face. "I think Spencer is trying to get his hands on the kids. Luke is paying Lucky's debt off. The deal should go through by the end of the week."

"Then I need to move fast. I don't want that asshole to get a hold of Cam. I'm not sure if he'd take him or try to act like a hero."

"They were staying at a hotel, but keep moving around. I followed Lucky to this address."

He pushed a piece of paper towards her.

"A little blonde answered the door."

"Maxie…," she muttered. "This is great." She would let Liz decide what she wanted to do with the information.

"I went through the trash."

"And?"

"She might be pregnant. There was a box, but no test."

"I think you just might get a bonus for that information."

He smirked. The woman is all kinds of hot, but she is the boss and pays him well, so he will never go there. Of course, if she initiated, he would reconsider. "I have to go."

"Thanks for the drink."

He nodded and left.

Claudia stood and walked to the jukebox and turned it on. She felt a hand on her back and whipped around and grinned. "Johnny O'Brien. Are you following me?"

He pulled her closer and they started to sway. "Why are you here?"

She looked at her guard and winked to let him know to back off. "Can't a girl get a drink? And while we're on the subject, what brings you here?"

"You know why." Everyone and their mother is looking for Cam and Johnny is keeping a close eye on her, making sure she isn't withholding information.

"Any luck?"

"No."

She clasped her hands behind his neck and licked her lips.

Johnny does think she's hot, but she is also the enemy and he needs to be careful.

"Never send a man to do what a woman does better."

"You know something don't you?"

"I don't know yet."

He paused his movements. "Claudia, this isn't a game."

"I'm quite aware of that."

"If you know something, please tell me."

"Look, I promise if I get any information that require your services, I will call."

To her amazement, his head moved closer as his mouth hovered over hers.

"Do you want me, Claudia?"

Their eyes were locked in battle for a long moment while she figured out how to play him.

His hand lightly slid down her back, making her shiver before it stopped right above her ass.

"I haven't made up mind yet."

"Maybe this will help." His lips pressed against hers and when his tongue demanded entrance, she complied and soon they were engaged in a torrid kiss.

Finally retreating, more affected then he had expected, he tugged her flush against her. "Should I ask again?"

She nodded.

"Good. If you bring me information that leads to Cam, you can have me for one night."

She grinned, not at all expecting the offer, but loving it nonetheless. "Two."

Green eyes darkened as he considered it. "Deal. And you will be keeping the heels on."

She chuckled. "You're awful sure of yourself."

"You don't seem like you like to fail."

"I don't."

He broke their contact and handed her a slip of paper with his number on it. "I'll be seeing you soon." If them getting it on will spur her to finding Elizabeth's son, then he had no problem taking one for the team because he wanted her regardless.

"You can bet on it. Do you usually offer your body to people to get what you want?"

"No." After one more smoldering look, he was gone.

Claudia shivered on purpose and returned to her table with a little more pep in her step.

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The next morning, Jason sat across from Johnny as he patiently waited for an updated.

"Claudia knows something."

"Really?"

"Yup. I found her at a biker bar last night while I cased out a potential lead."

She was the last person he would expect to be involved.

"Is she working with Spencer?"

"I don't think so. When I asked her—"

"Wait! You confronted her?"

Johnny grinned. "I handled it."

"How?"

"Well, she agreed to call me if she got anything substantial."

Jason's head tilted. "Why would she do that?" Claudia didn't do anything unless it benefited her in some way.

"Don't worry about it."

"Oh hell no! You're telling me."

"Let's just say I offered to spend some time with her for the info."

The incredulous look on his boss face made him laugh.

"What? She's hot. I'm hot. If it gets Cam back, do you really care who I sleep with?"

Jason's mouth opened and closed twice before staying shut.

"I'm not marrying her, Jason."

"She's complicated and has serious issues."

"Don't we all?"

"Be careful."

"I'm fine. While I know hot sex can be addicting, I'm not planning to get deeply involved with her."

Jason cleared his throat. "You know she was raped in the past right?"

Johnny's sighed heavily. "Yes, but Claudia is woman who wouldn't appreciate me treating her differently because of it."

"Just be respectful. She probably deserves more than she gets." He couldn't help but think of Elizabeth.

"Do you know who did it?"

Jason nodded. "Trevor Lansing. He's dead because she killed him."

Johnny smirked. "Good for her. I've got to go."

"We're running out of time."

"I know."