A/N – Thanks for the comments! * Doralupin86 – lol Thanks! * Guest1 – Thanks! * LiasonLuv – lol re: Sage * KLJLizFan, Guest3 – True re: Sonny * samymammy – Um, you'll see how that plays out more this chapter and the next. * ilovedana53 – So true!

Chapter 7 – Down Time

Sage walked up to Elizabeth. "Hey, I'm Sage. Lorenzo is my uncle."

"I'm Elizabeth." She said shaking Sage's hand.

"I'm your official welcoming committee."

"Well thank you. I have no idea how long we'll be here."

"Uncle Lo didn't say."

"Does your father live here too?"

She smiled. "Not in this villa but there is another one on our property, so he'll probably stop by."

"And where do you live?"

"With Uncle Lo. I also work for him."

"And your father doesn't mind?"

Sage shrugged. "My father is a little intense. Let's just say he has issues. My uncle keeps him in line and he has always looked out for me. In some ways, he's more of a father than my own."

"I just found out that Sonny is my father and I'm not sure how to feel about that."

"What do you know about him?"

"Not much."

"Well, I can tell you that he can be charming but he also can be ruthless. He is bi-polar. He's married to Carly who is a little cray—cray herself, and they have an adorable little boy Michael."

Liz swallowed hard. "So you've spent time around him?"

"I did last summer. We have a house in Port Charles. I babysat Michael while they went to dinner. He was very nice and generous with the pay. Luckily, my uncle and Mr. Corinthos have a good working relationship. When I was there last time, Jason was away. I just saw him and wow. He is lip smacking gorgeous."

Liz rolled her eyes.

"Oh, now you've got to fill me in. What was that look for? Are you two an item?"

"No. He's rude, arrogant, and barely speaks to me. I don't care how good looking he is. It was a long road trip."

Sage chuckled. "Talk is so overrated."

Liz laughed loudly. "I think you and I are going to get along fabulously."

"My cousin Diego is going to love you."

"Is he Lorenzo's son?"

She nodded. "Yup. He's coming home for the summer today. He's going to NYU."

"Impressive."

Sage shrugged. "I guess."

"You didn't want to go to college?"

"Not really. I'm a computer geek. I've taken some college courses but I've taught myself a lot."

"Sounds like you're happy with what you're doing so that is good."

"I love it."

Someone yelled her name and she grinned. "Come on, Diego is home."

Liz followed her into the house.

Sage squealed and ran into Diego's arms and he hugged her and spun her around and then took her face in his hands and kissed her forehead. "How's my girl?"

"I'm great."

"You have a boyfriend yet?"

"No, but Jason is here and he's mouth-watering."

Diego mouth dropped open. "Oh hell no. That is so not happening."

Sage frowned. "Why not? It's not like he's married or something."

"I don't care if he's the last man on earth. He's dangerous and he's too old for you."

"He's thirty-two not ninety." She said exasperatedly.

Liz chuckled and Diego finally looked up and noticed her. "Damn." He said under his breath.

Sage grinned. "Diego, this is Elizabeth Webber."

Jason walked up just in time to see Diego greet Liz and kiss her hand. Liz blushed and Jason rolled his eyes.

Diego looked up at Jason and frowned. There was no way in hell Jason was going to hook up with his cousin.

"Relax, I already know." He said walking past them.

Diego smirked and Sage glared at him.

"What was that?"

"Noneya." He said quickly making her smack his arm. Turning to Liz he said, "I'm going to a party tonight, maybe I can convince you to come along."

"Don't you think I'm a little old?"

Diego smirk. "You look younger than me. How old are you?"

"Twenty-Five."

He smiled. "Nice. You'll fit right in."

"I have nothing to wear."

"We can remedy that pretty quickly. I just have to make a few calls."

Jason cleared his throat. They hadn't realized he was still in the room. "Diego, Taggert could still be following us. He knew where we were headed. Elizabeth's life is in danger."

"And you think Taggert is going to show up at a party?"

"He could follow you there."

"Well, if you come, can she?"

Jason pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I can send another guard with them." Lorenzo said walking towards them.

Jason looked up at him. "No."

Lorenzo tried not to smile. "Then, I guess you are going then."

Jason started to protest but Lorenzo pushed on. "Elizabeth has been on the road for days. Her whole life has been turned upside down. I think she could use a night out, don't you."

Jason rolled his eyes.

"You can go with me so the other girls will leave you alone." Sage said smiling.

Lorenzo's smile dropped and Jason smirked. "Sounds good." He said walking away.

"What just happened?" Lorenzo said looking baffled.

"You got played pops." Diego said grinning. "Let me make the call."

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Jason pulled on his black boots. Sage had brought him a black shirt with some kind of design on it to wear. It wasn't too bad, just something he wouldn't normally don. He couldn't believe he was stuck babysitting. He just wanted a good night's sleep.

He walked back towards the living room. It was a big circular open room that was attached to the foyer.

Sage was waiting and smiled her approval as he approached.

Diego looked up from his phone and rolled his eyes at the look on Sage's face. His eyes caught a movement and Elizabeth appeared. "You look beautiful." He said smiling.

Jason and Sage turned around. Elizabeth was wearing a black, one strap dress that came to mid-thigh with wedged sandals.

"Thank you." She said walking towards them.

Sage grinned. "Do I have good taste or what?"

Liz chuckled.

"Are we ready to go?" Jason asked. He would never admit it out loud but Elizabeth did look gorgeous.

Diego walked over to Liz and held out his arm and she put her hand in the fold and they headed to the car.

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Dylan told his dad, Paul, all about what was going on with Elizabeth.

"I agree that something doesn't seem right. I'm just not sure how much help I can be."

"I think her father is the key to this. If we find him, we find Liz."

"Let me see what I can do." Paul said.

"Thanks."

Dylan was actually scared that it was taking too long to find her. He was fond of Elizabeth and just hoped that they weren't too late.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

They walked into the party which was already pretty packed.

"Diego mi amigo." His friend said pulling him into a half hug. "She is fucking fine." He whispered.

Diego smiled. "Peter this is Elizabeth."

Peter kissed her hand. "Eres muy Hermosa." He said smiling.

Jason rolled his eyes as Sage grabbed his hand and tugged him over to her friends. He was officially in teen hell.

"This is Jason everyone." She said loudly to the three girls who were sitting on the couch.

All three had stopped speaking and just stared at Jason.

One of them stood up and held out her hand. "It's a pleasure." She said before licking her lips.

Jason nodded.

The other two got up and did the same. They all started rambling to each other in Spanish not realizing Jason could speak it. The things they were saying actually made him blush and Elizabeth started to laugh.

Diego chuckled and pulled Jason away. "Let's go get some beer."

Jason looked back at Elizabeth but she was too busy asking Sage what the girls had just said. He looked back again and saw Liz blush and he smirked.

They got a beer out by the pool and fortunately, he could still see the girls through the window.

"So, is Elizabeth single?"

Jason looked at him and sighed. "Do I look like I would know that?"

Diego chuckled. "Don't even act like you wouldn't hit that."

Jason rolled his eyes. "What are you like twelve?"

There was screaming and a commotion and Jason and Diego put down their beers as three guys dragged Sage towards the pool. They were on the opposite side.

Diego yelled for them to stop messing around in Spanish but they continued to tease the girl. They let go of her as she was leaning back and then it was like everything went into slow motion. She lost her balance and tripped and her head hit the lip of the pool and she fell into it. Her white dress disappeared under the water and a gasp could be heard from everyone standing around.

Diego was already running. He dove into the pool and fished her out from the bottom. Jason ran to the edge. "Over here." He yelled to Diego who swam towards them with an unconscious Sage in his arms.

Jason lifted her out and gently laid her down. Liz took her pulse.

"She hit her head pretty hard. We need to get her to a hospital." Liz said looking up at Jason.

"Does anyone have a jacket?" Liz yelled.

Jason ripped off his shirt and put it over the young woman's body since the fabric of her dress was now see-through. He picked her up and a wet Diego took a towel from someone and they ran for the truck. Elizabeth got in the back with Jason and Sage, while the guard got in the front seat. Diego started the SUV and took off. An extra guard that Lorenzo sent followed them.

"You think she'll be okay?" Jason asked softly.

Liz nodded. "I think so."

Jason let out a deep breath. Lorenzo and Luiz were going to go crazy. He listened as Diego made the call and could hear Lorenzo yelling.

They got to the hospital and Jason laid her on a gurney and grabbed his shirt which was now soaking wet.

A nurse walked towards them. "Gentleman, why don't you two come with me? I'll get you some scrubs to wear."

Jason looked at the guard to make sure he would stick by Elizabeth's side and he walked away.

A few minutes later, Lorenzo ran in followed by Luis. Elizabeth was completely taken aback. She didn't know they were twins. "Where is she?" Lorenzo asked her.

"The doctor is looking at her now."

"Where are the guys?"

"They were wet. Diego jumped in to save her and Jason had used his shirt to cover her up. So, they are getting changed."

Luis growled. "How could Morgan let this happen?"

Liz cleared her throat. "With all due respect, Mr. Alcazar, it wasn't Jason or Diego's fault. These guys were goofing around and threatening to throw her in the pool. When they backed up and released her, she lost her balance and tripped and fell; all we could do was react. Diego jumped in and Jason pulled her out and carried her to the car."

Luis studied her carefully. She was a beautiful woman. And to his surprise, the hand that she had placed on his arm was strangely calming him.

Diego ran towards his father. "I'm sorry. I should have been watching her more closely."

Luis spoke. "It's okay Diego. Ms. Webber has explained everything."

Jason walked up and Luis shook his hand and thanked him.

The nurse came out looking rather nervous since she found out whose child they were caring for. "You can come see her now."

Both men rushed to the back. Jason noticed Liz was trembling and he grabbed both of her arms. "It's okay now."

She looked up at him. Gone were the glacial orbs that usually stared down at her. Instead, she saw compassion and warmth and for some reason, she burst into tears completely startling him. Her arms wrapped around his waist and she cried releasing all the worry that she had felt about the young woman who had been so kind to her.

Jason stood still at first but then gently rubbed her back. "It's okay Elizabeth. She'll be fine."

"We almost lost her."

"But we didn't. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left her side."

"You didn't do anything wrong."

Lorenzo walked up to them. "She wants to see Elizabeth."

Liz pulled away and wiped her eyes and then followed Lorenzo who gave Jason a look thinking he did something to make Elizabeth cry.

Jason shook his head and Diego, who had been sitting there watching everything, chuckled.

Luis sat down next to Diego. "She has a concussion. She can come home tonight."

Diego breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank God."

"We got lucky." Luis said.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Liz hurried to the young woman's side. "How are you feeling?"

"My head hurts but they say I'll be okay."

"Do you have to stay?"

"No, they said I could go home."

Lorenzo spoke up. "That's where you come in. Do you mind if she stays in your room tonight and you can play nurse?"

Liz smiled. "That would be fine with me. You know I'm probably going to have to wake you up every few hours."

Sage nodded. "Yea, I know the drill."

"Do you want to see your heroes?"

Sage smiled. "Yes."

Lorenzo went to get them while the girls talked.

"I'm so embarrassed." Sage said. "Everyone saw me trip and fall in. I'm such a klutz. I'll never live this down."

Diego walked in. "If one person says anything to you, I'll personally beat the shit out of them."

Sage smiled. "Thank you Diego."

He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. "Do not do that to me again. I swear, I feel like I need to wrap you in bubble wrap or something. I haven't even been home for one day."

Sage smacked him on the arm. "I'm not that bad."

"Yes you are."

"No I'm not."

Luis watched their playfulness from the door. He was worried about her but he was glad that his nephew was there to watch over her. It had been hard letting Sage spend so much time with Lorenzo. But, he knew he wasn't always stable and it was for the best. He loved Sage.

"Jason, thank you for carrying me. I wish I was awake for it."

Jason shook his head at her grin and Lorenzo's growl as he lightly chuckled. "Anytime."

"Don't promise her that before I can get her some extra padding or something." Diego said before jumping off the bed so Sage couldn't smack him again.

Seeing them together actually made Elizabeth miss her brother and sister. Jason caught the look of sadness on her face and wondered what she was thinking but it vanished just as suddenly as it had appeared.