A/N – Thanks for the comments! Glad that you like Gia! Anthony will be dealt with soon.

Chapter 29 – On Alert

Elizabeth got changed and went over to see if Claudia needed any help setting up. Jason was on the way.

Claudia opened the door. "Come in."

"How's the patient?"

Johnny piped up. "Ask me yourself."

Liz grinned. "Hey couch potato."

Johnny chuckled. "Come here and keep me company."

She plopped down next to him and he put his arm around her and she got comfortable. "What are you watching?"

"Bad Girls club."

"Do I even want to know?" Liz asked.

Johnny chuckled.

"Holy shit." Liz said before her mouth drop opened.

"Those bitches be crazy." Johnny said.

Liz busted out laughing and that is how Jason found them when he opened the door. They didn't even notice him as Liz watched some girl attack another one. "Oh my God." She yelled.

Jason stood in the doorway with his arms crossed looking at them. He really didn't like that Johnny had his arm around his girl.

Gia tapped Claudia so she'd turn around and looked. They both tried not to laugh.

"I think Johnny might need some backup." Gia said.

"Damn he's hot." Claudia said before biting her lip.

Gia smiled. "He has hot killer mafia guy down pretty well but Johnny's smile is to die for."

Claudia chuckled.

Johnny caught a movement and looked over at Jason and his smile slowly dissipated from his face. He yanked his arm out from around Liz so fast her head jerked backwards. "Hey, I was comfy." She yelled before realizing Jason was standing there looking very unhappy.

"Hi honey." She said grinning. Claudia and Gia started laughing behind her. "Busted." Gia muttered.

"You want to come watch Bad Girls Club with us?"

Jason shook his head and walked over to the couch giving Johnny the stink eye the whole way. He flopped down next to Elizabeth and she grabbed his hand.

"What the hell is this?" He asked as he watched some crazy girl yelling and throwing some girls clothes off a balcony into the pool.

Johnny grinned. "It's reality t.v."

Liz laughed at the look on Jason's face when the two girls began to fight each other.

"This is crazy." Jason muttered.

Gia sat down on the other side of Johnny. "I was thinking about trying out for the show."

Jason's head jerked around. "Hell no."

Gia gave him a funny look. "What? I can hold my own."

"I'm sure you could but you've been gone one day and I was losing my mind."

Gia grinned. "Aw, did the big bad mob boss miss me?"

Jason sighed.

"Should I be jealous?" Johnny asked.

"Shut it Zacchara. You had your arm around my girl. From 8 to 5 Gia is mine." Jason growled.

Gia smiled and looked back at Claudia who shuddered which made her laugh hard.

"Not funny Gia." Johnny said.

There was a knock on the door and Claudia answered it. "David, come in." She said smiling.

He handed her some flowers. "I hope you like them."

Claudia grinned. "I love them."

She turned around and both Johnny and Jason were glaring. She rolled her eyes and walked back to the kitchen.

David chuckled at the over protective looks on the men's faces. "What are you guys watching?"

"You don't even want to know." Claudia said before spiriting him with her to the kitchen.

"He's checked out right?" Johnny asked Jason.

"Yeah, but still. She's been through a lot. If he hurts her…." Jason said.

Johnny smirked. "Get in line."

Gia looked at Elizabeth. "Are they ridiculous or what?"

Liz chuckled.

There was another knock on the door and Logan opened it. "The Webbers are here."

Liz smiled and stood up as her mom and dad walked in. "Hey." She said giving them a hug. She introduced them to everyone and then directed them to the dining room table and they sat down with David and Claudia.

"So David, I hear you have a clinic." Jeff said.

"I do. It's my pride and joy."

Jeff smiled. "I did a stint with DWB one summer. It was definitely the most rewarding work I've ever done."

David smiled. "It's not a big clinic but it gets the job done."

They started talking about it and Claudia just kicked back and watched David talk. He was so passionate about helping people and the work that he was doing and she thought it was very noble and sexy. She normally wouldn't be into someone like him but for some reason, he was definitely doing it for her.

"So, this is as good of a time as any. I was interested in maybe helping you out at the clinic." Liz said tentatively.

David smile. "I would love that. I have a few nurses that volunteer here and there but it's rough running things by myself. Are you sure you don't want to work at a big hospital?"

"I've done that before and I loved my job but I just want to do something more meaningful."

David held out his hand. "Welcome aboard."

Liz shook hands with him. "Thank you. I can't wait."

Jason was happy for his girl. Now, he just had to take care of Anthony and all would be good.

Logan brought the food in and Jason invited him to stay. They all sat down and ate. And when David held Claudia's hand under the table, she felt a chill go through her entire body. It had been so long since someone had touched her in an intimate way. It kind of hit her how much she missed and she stood up suddenly and went to her bedroom.

David got up. "I'll be right back."

Johnny was a little concerned but he figured David could handle it so he turned back to the conversation and hoped Claudia would be okay.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

David walked into her room and shut the door. "Claudia, talk to me."

Embarrassed, she tried to wipe the tears away. "I'm sorry. I just got overwhelmed."

He sat down next to her. "Did I make you feel uncomfortable?"

She shook her head no.

"Then what is it?"

"I just lost so much time you know? It's like my life was put on hold. There was no one to comfort and hold me. I was so lonely. It's been over ten years since I kissed a man. That's just insanity."

David nodded and brushed a tear away. "I'll go as slow as you want Claudia. When this situation is taken care of, I want to take you out and take you out so I can give you some new memories. I want to spoil and romance you. Are you up for that?"

She smiled. "Hell yes."

David grinned. There was just something about Claudia that pulled him in. He thought she was beautiful and strong.

"Will you do me one favor before we go back out there?"

He nodded. "Anything."

"Hold on." She went into the bathroom and washed her face and touched up her makeup. When she was finally please she walked over to him and he stood up. "Will you kiss me?"

David slightly smiled and pushed the hair back off her face. He gazed deeply into her eyes before he slowly lowered his mouth to hers. He kissed her gently and then slowly deepened it and Claudia loved every minute of it.

Pulling back he smiled. "I'm going to enjoy getting to know you better."

She smiled. "That was a great kiss."

"There's more where that came from." He said as he grinned and then grabbed her hand and led her back to the table.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

OB stopped by before everyone had departed and brought some clothes from Gia's apartment for her.

Elizabeth introduced him to her parents and he sat down and had some dessert with them. Liz and Claudia made some plans to work out the next morning and then everyone went home. Jason stayed behind to talk with Claudia.

"We need to make a move on Anthony soon."

"I know. I'm planning some things."

"He's hiding right now because of what he did to Johnny." Jason said quietly.

"What are you thinking?"

"We need to smoke him out."

Claudia sighed. "Can you give me a few days?"

Jason stared at her. "You know where he is don't you?"

"Yes. I'm working with someone." She said softly.

"Claudia, this is so dangerous. If you get hurt, Johnny will be devastated."

"I know. I'm not planning on doing anything stupid. I promise."

Jason pinched the bridge of his nose. "You have until Saturday."

"Thank you. I know this sounds weird but I wanted to take Elizabeth to the spa at the Metro Court tomorrow. Her parents are leaving in the morning so she was going to go over there anyway. I can wear my disguise. Please. I really could use some pampering."

Jason rolled his eyes. "Alright. We'll post some guards."

Claudia grinned. "Thanks Jason."

"I'll let Elizabeth know the plan." He said walking out.

Gia walked over to her and sat down. "That was smooth."

"You can join us if you want."

"I have to work. But, I'll take a rain check."

"You got it." Claudia said smiling.

"So, how are you going to get to your father?" She asked curiously.

"I have some eyes out there working for me. My Uncle Richie hired a guy named Shawn Butler to spy for me."

"What are you going to do?"

She nodded. "This stays between us right?"

"I won't say a word. I'll help you if you need me too."

Claudia smirked. "Tomorrow night, I'm going to mess with his mind a little."

"You're not going to let him see you are you?"

"I was thinking about it. It would freak him out for sure." She said animatedly.

"You'll have to get close to do that."

Claudia sighed. "I know but it's a risk I'm willing to take it."

"Well, tell me what you need me to do and I'll do it."

"Let me think on that. I'll let you know by tomorrow afternoon." Claudia said.

Gia stood up. "I'm going to bed."

Claudia sat back and sighed. She had really wanted to make her father suffer. But right now, she just wanted him dead.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Early the next morning, Liz, Claudia and Milo went into the gym and did a work out.

"Milo, I didn't realize you were so bossy." Liz said as she grimaced while doing a crunch.

"He seemed really nice but now I'm convinced that he's Satan." Claudia said before doing another squat.

"You'll both be thanking me later. Now enough talking. All I want to hear is grunting from here on out."

Both women groaned and kept going.

A half hour later they both collapsed onto the mat.

"You're lucky I don't have my gun on me." Claudia said.

"We can call OB." Liz suggested.

Milo rolled his eyes. "Drama queens…."

"If I could move my head right now….just know I'm glaring at you." Claudia said.

"Yeah, me too." Liz added.

"Hit the showers ladies."

They both groaned as they stood up on shaky legs.

Milo walked Claudia back to her house and Liz went into the bathroom and ran a hot bath. She couldn't wait to get a massage later.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiI

Andrea watched her daughter and some woman she didn't recognize walk towards them. "Why are you walking funny?"

"Milo and his damned workout." Liz said grimacing.

Jeff chuckled. "Can you give me a hug?"

"I'm not sure if I can lift them." Liz said with a pathetic look as she glanced at her arms.

Andrea laughed and embraced her daughter. "I'm going to miss you."

Jeff gave her a hug too. "By the way, who's the strange woman you brought with you."

Liz laughed and whispered Claudia's name.

"Ohhhhhh." Jeff said. He gave Claudia a hug. "Nice meeting you."

She smiled. "Likewise."

Sarah walked up and hugged her parents. "See you tomorrow."

They all moved towards the entrance and that is when all hell broke loose. France dialed his phone and yelled the emergency code. OB stood up and called in some reinforcements.

"Jason."

"OB?"

"Get to the Metro Court now and bring everyone you can."

"Shit." Jason said running out the door.

Gia followed him and listened to him bark instructions. "I'm coming with you."

"Gia please, stay here with Logan." He said running out the door.

Jason drove his car well past the speed limit and got to the hotel in no time. James had pulled up with some FBI agents and they were talking to a very upset Andrea Webber.

"Slow down and tell me what happened."

Jason stopped and listened.

"We were walking towards the door and these men came inside. They shot at Francis and he had to duck behind a pillar. There was so much confusion. They all had masks on. One of them told Liz that if she didn't come with him, he'd kill the rest of us." She stopped for a moment to catch her breath. "He grabbed her but Claudia wouldn't let go of her hand so they took her with them too."

Jason was ready to rip something apart. "Where's Jeff?"

"He's inside with Sarah. She passed out."

Jason pulled James aside. "Do you know where he took them?"

"I can't tell you anything. We'll handle it from here."

"Look, I have the man power. Do you? He is going to kill Claudia." Jason said angrily.

James looked at him like he was crazy. "Jason, Claudia Zacchara is dead."

"No she isn't. He was keeping her hostage in Italy for the last ten years. When he realizes it's her he will kill her."

"Shit." James said. "Follow me. Bring your best men. And you will follow my orders understood?"

Jason nodded. "Done. He probably won't hurt Elizabeth because he wants her for Johnny." Not that he was any less worried. Taking out his phone, he made some calls. Francis, OB, Logan, Milo, and Cody all gathered. Jason was also surprised when Johnny and Shawn arrived.

"I know where they are." Shawn said. "There are usually five men around the perimeter and two in the house. If we can take out everyone outside, we'll be able to get to them fast. There might be more men since he was making a move."

"How many men do you have?" Jason asked James.

"Five."

"Then let's do this. Shawn will ride with me and we'll follow you there. Francis will ride with you."

James nodded. His bosses weren't going to be happy about this but he didn't care. Elizabeth and Claudia were in danger and he wasn't planning on letting them die because he refused to improvise.