Chapter Nine

Typing her patients vitals into the computer, Elizabeth yawned. Her shift so far had consisted of routine nursing care, which was fine with her. Tired and hungry, she was not in the best of moods. Tapping her foot impatiently, she looked up as the elevator door opened.

"Elizabeth! I was hoping that you were working." Lulu crossed the distance and drummed her fingers on the counter top. "I just tried to go visit Spencer, but Nik refused to let the launch leave the island. Have you talked with him lately?"

"No. I've attempted to, but he has Alfred blocking my visits." Seeing her own worry reflected in the younger woman's face, she hated that they had no clue what was going on. "Alexis said that he is seeing visions of Em again."

"Oh no. Does that mean that another tumor is putting pressure on his brain?"

"Without him being evaluated, I really don't know, Lulu. But I am worried about that and his mental state. Being alone on that island can't be good for his train of thought."

Clicking a pen repeatively, Lulu frowned. "And Lucky isn't no help. He is spending all his time with Sam and refuses to try to talk to Nik. He says that I am reaching, just wanting there to be a problem."

Ignoring that comment, Elizabeth had a sudden thought. "Have you called Laura? I know that she is still in Paris, but maybe she could reach out to him. I doubt if he would turn away a phone call from her."

Hope flaring, Lulu smiled. "I will contact her and tell her what is going on. If he is having medical issues, he has to get treatment. Emily would not want him to suffer like this. I just don't understand him sometimes. He can be so difficult."

"Nik has always been private and a tad reclusive with the Cassidine upbringing, but this more than that. Last time he really withdrew was when Helena..." Stopping and sighing, she blinked. "Do you know if Helena is around? Trying some way to gain control over Nik sounds like something that she would plan. and what better way than to make him think that he is loosing his mind."

"God, I hope not. I will call Alfred. And maybe you could have Jason look into her movements. At first I thought that he was just having a hard time dealing with Georgie being alive while Emily was still gone. I hate to say it, but I avoided him because he was brooding so much." Looking embarressed, she looked down at her hands. "Not very sisterly, huh?"

"Lulu, we've all kind of slacked with him. Everyone has their own lives and problems. But like I said, he has always been more solitary than the rest of us. I will have Helena's whereabouts checked out. But you need to call Laura. She may be able to reach him enough to find out what is going on." Seeing Epiphany approaching, she sighed. "I gotta get back to work though, Lu. I promise to try and get some answers."

"Thank you, Liz. I have to get back to hotel anyway. Marty gets mad if I am late. I'll call you if I hear anything."

Watching Lulu leave, Elizabeth started to type again. Not knowing what was going on with Nik was starting to really worry her. The friendship that they had shared had always been special to her, and she didn't want to lose a friend because he was too stubborn to ask for help.

"You okay, Elizabeth? You look lost in thought." Epiphany started leafing through charts, putting the newest labs in their spots and marking them for the physicians.

"I'm fine."

Looking at her with an expression that said she doubted that, Epiphany let the subject drop. "I'm going to go ahead and send you to lunch in a half hour. We are slow anyway. If it stays like this, you will probably get low census later. If you want it, that is."

Laughing, she rolled her eyes. "Of course I would want it."

Forty minutes later, she entered Kelly's and grinned at seeing Georgie already at a table. "Hey! Did you already order? I'm starved."

"Yep. I ordered you a grilled chicken salad and potato soup." Opening a bottle of motrin, she shook two pills out and popped them into her mouth.

Sympathetic, Elizabeth winced. "That bad of a headache, huh?" Turning to look at the sleeping child in the stroller, she grabbed her water. "At least Baylor is taking it easy on you today."

"She's a gem, that is for sure." Pausing as the waitress dropped off their orders, she frowned at the chicken sandwich in front of her. "I hate tequila," she muttered.

"I've been there before. It sucks." Stabbing a forkful of salad, Elizabeth looked around the mostly empty diner. "How you dealing with everything?"

"I've been better," she admitted after swallowing a small bite of her lunch. "But I don't want to discuss that right now. Between last night and then Maxie this morning, I am disgusted with the entire situation."

Understanding the need to block things out even if only for a short time, Elizabeth nodded. "So, I was thinking about you earlier and your plans to go back to school. I talked with the daycare supervisor. She said that they have room for Baylor if you still planned on enrolling her."

Perking up, Georgie smiled. "I think that interaction with kids her own age would benefit her. I'll stop in later and fill out the paperwork." Grimacing at seeing Lucky enter the diner, she brought him to Elizabeth's attention just as he approached the table.

"We need to talk," he demanded.

"No, we don't. I heard that you are attempting to get visitation, Lucky. Save your money. It's not going to happen."

"I want to see the boys, Liz!" he spat, his voice rising. "I helped raise them until you decided that you would rather place them in constant danger by being with Jason. Your selfishness could get them killed and you don't care!"

Seeing Cody and Logan both starting to move forward, Elizabeth exhaled slowly and glared at him. "My children are perfectly safe, Lucky. You are the one hanging in bars every night and scoring drugs on the docks. Just get out of my face. You are not seeing Cameron or Jake."

Slamming his fist on the table, he leaned closer to her just as Baylor started to cry. "You listen to me, you bitch. I deserve..."

"Nothing." Cody shoved him back and stepped between him and the table. Seeing his glassy eyes, he snorted in contempt. "You are high, Spencer. Yelling at women and making kids cry seem to be your only accomplishment lately. Get away from Elizabeth and Georgie."

Unbuckling Baylor from the stroller as she continued to whimpered, Georgie missed seeing Lucky swing at Cody, who ducked and punched him back. But Lucky's wild punch hit her in the back of the head, making her already sore head explode and her vision to waver as her own head bounced off the table.

"Georgie?" Elizabeth quickly moved and took Baylor as Georgie's grip on her loosened. The little girl was now wailing hysterically at the commotion as Logan steadied Georgie and tried to look at her head.

Groaning at the pounding in her head, she closed her eyes as Logan knelt beside her. "Bay?"

"Elizabeth's got her, doll. Look at me, Georgie," he coaxed, worry in his voice as he saw the pain that was etched across her face.

"I'm fine, Logan." Cracking her eyes open, she blinked to clear the blurriness and double vision.

Running a hand soothingly up and down Baylor's back, Elizabeth could see Cody returning from dragging Lucky outside. Focusing on Georgie, she was relieved to see her eyes sparking with annoyance. "I'm so sorry, Georgie."

"Why? You aren't responsible for that ass." Reaching over and taking Baylor, she gave the three a weak grin. "I guess that my headache won't be going away anytime soon." Feeling Logan's hand in her hair, she pulled away and growled. "Stop it! I've had worse, Logan. I am okay, I swear."

Settling back into her seat, Elizabeth looked down at their ruined food as Mike exited the kitchen and hurried toward them. "Everything is fine, Mike."

Rubbing a hand over his face, the older man knew that it was useless to even offer calling the cops. "Do you want me to box you ladies up something to go? I know that you got to get back to GH, Liz."

"Please."

"Can you add something for Bay, Mike? Maybe just a grilled cheese." Georgie continued to rub her back as she kept sniffling. "I'd appreciate it."

"You got it, kid."

"Well, thanks to Lucky, lunch was ruined. I guess I should have just ate at the cafeteria."

"Is he really going for visitation?" Georgie asked, astonished at his ignorance. At Elizabeth's nod, she snorted. "Just tell Diane to bring up todays incident to his lawyer. I'm sure that they will rethink representing him. He was so trashed that he missed Cody and hit me while I had a two year old in my arms. Spells great maturity and parenting skills, huh?" she snarked.

"I can't believe you aren't more upset. You could have really been hurt."

"But I wasn't, Logan. I'm more upset that he scared Baylor than anything else. He's a time bomb waiting to go off."

Standing as Mike brought out two bags, Elizabeth sighed. "I have to get back before I am late and Epiphany gets mad. You should take it easy." Grabbing her food and exchanging good byes, she started back toward GH. Knowing that Lucky was becoming a loose canon, she tried to remember the last time that she had glimpsed the boy that he had once been. Unable to recall it without difficulty, Elizabeth knew that he was further gone that she had believed.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

Sensing that he was behind her even though he had made no noise, Georgie kept rocking Baylor gently as she spoke softly. "You could give me a heart attack by sneaking around, Johnny."

"Hmm, I somehow don't think so." Moving to stand in front of her, he waited until she looked up at him. "She's out cold. I'll carry her up."

"I can do it," she protested.

"Might as well get use to the help." Easily shifting Baylor to his arms, he winked as Georgie scowled before disappearing up the stairs.

Cursing under her breath, Georgie stood and stretched. Picking up the few toys that were scattered throughout the living room, she flipped the stereo on low and moved into the kitchen. She had just finished loading the dishwasher when she turned to see him leaning against the door frame watching her. "What?"

"How's your head?"

"Fine. Better than when I woke up." When he just continued to stare, she shook her head in annoyance. "If you already know, why ask? I'm sure that Logan and Cody already told you what happened."

"They did," he agreed. "You sure that you are okay? Logan was concerned. He said that you've been quiet all day."

"Johnny, my life is a mess right now. I'm not exactly talkative all the time. My head is fine. The hang over was worse than the slight blow that Lucky landed."

"You did drink half a bottle last night," he remarked with a chuckle. "Let's go sit in the living room. We need to discuss a few things."

"Go for it," she told him in a resigned tone as she curled up on one side of the couch.

"First of all, my father was released today." The quick flash in her eyes was enough to let him know that she was unsettled by that. "Logan and Milo will keep him away, but I just wanted you to be prepared in case he would happen to approach you."

Not happy with that development, she just inhaled sharply. "Is it ever going to calm down?" she asked seriously.

"In time, it will. There's something else." Pulling a small box from his pocket, he saw her wince and open her mouth to protest. "Georgie, it would look really odd if you didn't have an engagement ring. You know that."

Gasping as he flipped the box open, she stared at the two karet diamond surrounded by small emeralds in a gold band. "That is way too much, Johnny."

Gently taking her left hand, he ignored her trying to tug it away and slipped the ring onto the correct finger. "I'm a Zacchara, Georgie. Trust me, it's not too much. Or don't you like it?"

"It is beautiful. I just didn't think..."

"I know," he interrupted. "You are overwhelmed. I understand that, and to be honest, I expected it. You made it clear from the moment that you heard what the will stated that you were against marriage. But we both know that it is what needs to be done. And this," he ran a finger over the band, "is a part of that."

Leaning back and letting her head rest on the cushion, she sighed. "I just don't understand how you can be so damn calm about all of this. I feel like the walls are closing in, smothering me."

"It will get better, Georgie."

She rolled her eyes. "Really? Beacuse Anthony is insane, Johnny. I trust him just as much I trust Frisco, Anna, Robert, and Sean. Then factor in that I still haven't told my family about Baylor being Diego's or that we are getting married. This has disaster written all over it."

"Only if you let it. I can deal with my father, Georgie. As for telling Mac and Maxie about Baylor, it's gonna have to be soon. You know first hand how word spreads. They love her. I can't see learning that Diego is her biological father changing that. She's still a part of you."

"When did you become such an optomist?" she demanded while standing and turning off the stereo. "Because I have to tell you, it's annoying." Spotting the duffle bag that he had placed in the entry way, she stopped and looked over at him. "Why are your things here, Johnny?"

"Because with everything going on, I am going to be staying here."

"No. Isn't it enough that I have Milo and Logan invading my space?"

"Stop being so damn hardheaded, Georgie. Why shouldn't I go ahead and start staying? We'll be married within the week anyway. And with Anthony out, I feel better being here." Stopping at the look of disbelief on her face, he smirked while crossing to stand in front of her. "Don't look so shocked. You knew that everything would change once you agreed the other night."

"A week?" Her voice shook slightly. "And if I decide that I changed my mind?"

Expression darkening, he studied her. "Then you are taking a risk with Baylor's life. Can you honestly do that because you are uncomfortable letting anyone besides her close to you? You've never been a coward, Georgie. Don't start now."

Angry because she knew that he was right, she hissed in exasperation. But her response was cut off when the doorbell rang. Reching for it, she heard him step closer to her as she swung the door open. Taking a step backwards at seeing the person on the porch, she felt Johnny's hands steady her and then wrap around her waist. "What the hell are you doing here?" she questioned with contempt and a trace of fear.

"It's good to see you again, Georgie. We should talk, alone."

"Not a chance in hell. Anything that you want to say, Johnny can hear too, Dad."

Immediately moving so that he was partially blocking her, Johnny gave the older man a look that clearly showed his distrust and loathing. "Hello, Mr. Jones. I'm John Zacchara, your daughter's fiance. What do you want?"

OoOoOoOoOoOo

Leaving the locker room after changing out of her scrubs, Elizabeth waved at Patrick as she started toward the elevators. Two complicated surgeries had nixed the idea of low census and she was dragging after the twelve hour shift. Not paying attention, she was caught off guard when the doors slid open and Lucky snarled at her.

"Well, well. If it isn't my slut of a wife," he slurred, taking a intimidating step toward her.

Leery of the anger radiating off of him, she took a step back. "We are divorced, Lucky. I am not your wife." Seeing Cody on the phone as he rapidly approached, she took another step away from the man that she had onced loved and trusted. "You are with Sam now. Remember?"

"Hmm, Sam." An evil grin spread across his lips. "You mean the woman that you and Jason both tossed aside, just like me?"

"Are you brain dead, Spencer, or just high again?" Cody demanded as he stepped between the two. "I thought that you got the hint earlier today. Elizabeth does not want to talk to you. Back off!"

"I don't care what the bitch wants!" he snarled. "I want my children. Her and Morgan aren't fit to raise a dog."

"And you are?" Placing a large hand on Elizabeth's shoulder, Jason eased her back some more after seeing the other man's pupils. Having been in the garage waiting on her, he had raced up the stairs to reach them after Cody had reported what was happening. "The simple fact is that you never adopted Cam and I am Jake's father, not you. But if you think that you really stand a chance, take it to court. Diane is drooling at the thought of getting you and Sam on the witness stand."

"I'm not afraid of her. I am in the right," Lucky sneered while still glowering at Elizabeth. "The only brat that you will have left is that bastard that you are carrying now."

Grabbing the drugged out man by his shirt, Jason pulled him close and got right in his face. "Our child is NOT a bastard, Spencer. And you will not be getting anywhere near Cam and Jake ever again. And you should be scared of Diane, especially after you hit Georgie in public today. Doesn't really give off the impression of a stable man, does it? She was holding her two year old daughter, you worthless piece of shit."

Jerking out the hold that Jason had on him, Lucky gave a wicked grin, noticing the crowd of hospital employees that was gathering. "You think anyone will care once they find out that Baylor is Diego Alcazar's spawn?" Giving a harsh laugh, he watched as Robin and Patrick paled. "She had a kid with the man that killed Emily, your freaking sister, Morgan! How can you and Zacchara stand to help her? Because she has power that you want and need? Typical."

"Enough!" Elizabeth laid a hand on Jason's arm that was coiled with tension. "He is baiting you, Jason. He knows that he can't get custody or visitation of the boys." Her sapphire blue eyes narrowed as she met Lucky's. "No judge in their right mind gives a drug addict and a pathological liar any rights to children that aren't theirs. Let alone that he has a history of violence. Let's not forget the brainwashing and stabbing of his own cousin."

Eyes void of all emotion, Jason gave a short nod. "Watch your step, Spencer. And stay away from my family. I'm only telling you once."

"Wait!" Robin shouted as she hurried to block the couple. "Is it true? Is Georgie's daughter really an Alcazar?"

"You'd have to ask Georgie who Baylor's father is, Robin. But does it matter?" Elizabeth wondered as she gave her a harsh look. "No matter who that little girl's father is, she is still Georgie's and an innocent child."

"Let's go," Jason told her softly as he watched Lucky smirk out of the corner of his eye. Once in the stairwell, he looked back at Cody. "Get someone on him, now. And I want to know how he knows about Diego. Find Luke. I don't care what channels you use, Cody. Just get it done."

Once in the SUV, Elizabeth groaned. "He is really losing it. Someone needs to warn Mac just how strung out that he is."

"I'm sure that little scene will get relayed to him." Pinching the bridge of his nose before starting the vehicle, he grimaced. "We gotta call Zacchara and give him a heads up too. I don't want Georgie blindsided when everyone starts asking questions." Dialing the number, he heard the John answer and before he could get out what was going on, he cursed as he listened to the argument going on in the background and John's terse explanation. Tossing the cell on the dash, he saw her watching him. "We have to stop over at Georgie's. It seems that her father decided to put in an appearance."

Playing with the hem of her shirt, Elizabeth blinked. "What is going on? She is going to have a breakdown, Jason, with all that keeps coming at her."

Hearing her worry, he patted her thigh reassuringly. "John won't let that happen, Elizabeth. And she has been through worse. But this time, she isn't alone."

"No," she hedged, "but she was always a people pleaser before that night in the park happened. You know that. How do you think that she will react if her family starts giving her hell about Diego and then John? It's debatable if she will keep her resolve."

"She will," he answered with conviction. "And I'll tell you why. Baylor means more to her than anything. You can see that by just being around them. Do you want me drop you at home first? After dealing with Lucky, I don't want you more upset."

"He doesn't have that power over me anymore. We're fine, Jason." Voice softening, she gave him a knowing look. "Stop worrying. As long as I have you, I'm perfect."