A/N: Thank you for all the wonderful, supportive comments! The encouragement makes taking the time to write this well worth it. I'm pleased to be getting back into the groove with this story again, it's just taking longer than I would like.

This chapter will focus on Georgie's past. I had included the start of the next day too, but it would have been too long, so I left it out. Don't worry, Liason will definitely reappear next chapter and it will start the next day!

Also, I am moving this story to the rated M section because of language. And the violence will start to heat up soon too. Thanks again for hanging in there with me on this story!

Chapter Sixteen

Tenderly brushing the tears from her face, Johnny eased her back to the couch. He was thankful that she wasn't pulling away and was allowing him to hold her. When she rested her head on his shoulder, he pressed a kiss to her temple while bracing himself to hear the rest. "Georgie, when you left where you were staying with Diego, did you not take a guard? Surely Diego had assigned you at least one."

"That mistake is all on me," she admitted. "I couldn't stand to be there or see any of them after learning what Diego had been doing, Johnny. I slipped away from my guards and took off. Worst mistake that I ever made," she whispered bleakly.

"Georgie, you can't keep beating yourself up. What happened can't be changed." When she remained silent, Johnny leaned forward and cupped the side of her face, forcing her to turn in his direction. "You were naturally distraught and wanted to escape from your own pain. You are not responsible for anything that happened."

"But I am! I chose to leave even knowing that I was in danger! God, Johnny! I might as well just handed myself over to them. But I wasn't thinking clearly."

"You were pregnant, scared, and felt betrayed."

"And stupid enough to think that I could make it on own my own!" she shouted.

He understood that nothing he could say would make her guilt go away. That emotion was one that he knew plenty about, and it was like a cancer that could eat away at the soul. The bitterness and pain of that time still weighed heavily on her, and Johnny knew she blamed the death of her son on her decision to flee. "What happened after you left?"

"I managed to stay out of sight for a month until the WSB caught up with me in Prague." Unable to sit any longer, she once again stood and moved to the window. She nervously twisted her hands while staring at nothing, her eyes glassy. "I won't go into all the details about my time in Prague, Johnny, I can't."

"They hurt you." It wasn't a question, but he caught the way her head dropped and he felt the urge to slaughter all that had been involved in whatever nightmare that they had been responsible for putting her through. "Georgie, I know that my father somehow found out about what happened there. You have to trust me. Please let me help you. You're not alone anymore, remember that."

"I do trust you," she whispered, "but I can't think about that time. I was there for two long months before Alex, who had been my primary guard, found me. He and five others rescued me. Lorenzo was on his way but I was sick and they had to move immediately." Raising her head, she reluctantly looked at him. "I made Alex swear to make the three agents that were there that day pay, painfully, before I lost consciousness, Johnny. That's what Anthony was alluding to in the park. I gave an order to murder three government agents, not Lorenzo like he believed. And to be completely honest, I don't regret it at all. I wish that Anna, Frisco, Robert, and Sean had been there. Only one agent survived, and he's on a vent with no chance of ever breathing or functioning on his own. Alex used him to send a message." Shaking, she started to slide to the ground when his strong arms encircled her and he eased her to the floor, pulling her onto his lap. "I lost my son because of them, Johnny. Baylor barely survived. It was touch and go for months before her condition improved."

Johnny could feel her uneven breath through his shirt as she buried her head against his chest and cried. Closing his own eyes, he murmured soothingly to her, not even knowing what he was whispering. The more that he learned, the more that Johnny realized Georgie had been teetering on the edge for a long time. Every other woman her age that he knew would have never survived all that she had been through. "Georgie, it's gonna be okay. No one else is going to hurt you, I promise. You and Baylor are safe now."

"Oh, Johnny, it's not that simple. They killed Lorenzo. Do you think that they will hesitate to go after you or Jason? Sean, Anna, Frisco, and Robert will not stop. They don't believe that Julian is dead."

"How sure are you that he is?"

"As sure as I can be without seeing the body. Lucas and I are all that is left of him. And Lucas will never be a threat to anyone because of his personality and lifestyle choices. That's why I was the focus of their plans. Well, that and Sean is extremely close to Lucas and has been for years. His wife Tiffany is Lucas' biological aunt. There is no way that Sean would even attempt to go after him. I believe that when I first got involved with Diego back in 2006 that I sealed my fate. Even though I never thought much of it, I was close to the Alcazar Organization at the time. Later I became friends with people who worked for Jason, linking me to another organization."

Not quite having the faith that her half-brother was as untouchable as she believed, he filed that away for now. He planned on asking Morgan what he thought though. Johnny also didn't know what to think regarding Julian Jerome. The WSB had access to information that otherwise no one else saw. There had to be a reason that they still acted like Georgie was the way to reach the old mobster, as if he was still alive. Although if he was still breathing, Johnny was seriously considering fixing that problem once and for all. To let Georgie go through the hell that she had and never step forward to protect her, it was worse than anything Anthony had ever done in the past, and Lord knew that his own father was a real piece of work. But no matter how much he hated the old man, Anthony would have protected him from outside danger. While he could torture and torment his children, no one else had better even think about laying a hand on them.

"Can you tell me what happened before O'Brien found you and Bay? After Alcazar died and you fled Brazil."

Scooting so that her back was against the wall, she wiped the tears from her face before intertwining their fingers once more when he moved beside her and wrapped his other arm around her shoulders. "Baylor and I moved, a lot. I kept spotting Jerry Jacks." Hearing his sharp intake of breath, she gave him a weak smile. "Yeah, I know. After everything that he has done, I'd never trust him. Did you know that Jerry once worked for the WSB before he went rouge? He also has deep connection to Helena Cassadine."

"Jesus." Turning slightly so that he could see her face clearly, Johnny was surprised to see that she was calm again. Her inner strength astounded him. Georgie may fall apart, but she regained her composure shortly afterward. "Did you know if he was looking for you on behalf of the agency?"

Nose crinkling as she shook her head, she snorted. "It would've been too easy for that. Jerry is working with Helena and Sonny. They're teaming up to try and take control of Port Charles." When he lifted a dark eyebrow, she held up a hand to silence him. "Helena wants Elizabeth with Nik, has for years. When she and Lucky finally fell apart this last time, she saw that as her chance to make it happen. Sonny wants the control and power of the organization. To gain that, he needs Jason out of the way, along with you. When he learned of Baylor existence, she also became a target. They hired Jerry to grab Baylor. Fortunately for me, Spinelli unknowingly interfered that time."

"Huh? How does Spinelli factor in?"

Sadness spread across her features ad she swallowed thickly. "We'd been in contact," she admitted hoarsely and grimaced at the anger that burned in his dark eyes.

"You've got to be kiddin!" Running a hand through his hair in frustration, Johnny cursed. It made sense once she said it aloud. To be able to stay one step ahead for as long as she had, Georgie would've needed help. He could recall how close Morgan's hacker had been with his now wife before she had been believed to have died at the hands of a serial killer. "How long?" he bit out. "How long did Spinelli know that you were alive and in danger, Georgie?"

Grabbing his hands, Georgie bit her lip while wearily meeting his gaze. "Since Diego was killed," she whispered reluctantly. "When he left to go to Tennessee for his grandmother's funeral, he was actually with me in South America. But I made him promise, Johnny," she hurriedly added, "that he wouldn't breathe a word of anything until I was ready to come home. He kept me updated on everyone's movements to try and give me an advantage. Then he anonymously arranged for OB to be in Rome once Sonny joined forces with Helena and Jerry kept getting closer each time that he showed up. I owe him for all that he has done."

"Georgie, no! Spinelli should've gone to Morgan with all of this as soon as he figured it out! Jason would have protected you! Prague would not have happened if he had just been honest and done what was best for you!" Too angry to sit, Johnny unfolded his long legs and shoved himself off the floor to pace in front of her. "Everything that you went through could've been avoided, Georgie! All he had to do was tell someone what was going on!"

Slowly climbing to her feet, she hesitantly went to touch his arm but changed her mind. Clasping her hands, she tried to still her fidgeting. "I begged him not to go to Jason. Diego murdered Emily, Johnny! There was no way in hell that I was going to ask him to protect me and Diego's child! I'm still uncomfortable with his and Elizabeth's help. They have every reason to hate my daughter, Johnny, to hate me. Spinelli fought with me over my decision, but I threatened to completely disappear, forcing him to do as I wanted. But when more players joined the hunt, Spinelli knew that he had to break that vow. He sent a clueless O'Brien to me when Baylor and I needed help. He hated lying to everyone, Johnny, but he did it for me. Can't you understand that?"

"Understand?" he growled his voice so low that she had to strain to hear him. "I understand that you were scared and basing your decisions on emotions, Georgie. But no, I cannot comprehend him agreeing to keep you being alive and hunted a freaking secret! All this time, has he known about Julian Jerome being your father? Has he known everything that you've explained here tonight?" When she didn't answer, Johnny lightly grasped her chin and tilted her head up to stare into her eyes. "Has he?" he demanded even as he saw the truth reflected in her large eyes.

"Yes," she managed to choke out.

Remembering bits and pieces of conversations that he had carried on with Morgan over the last couple years, Johnny narrowed his eyes. The timing was too convenient. One lesson that Johnny had embraced from his father kept running a loop in his mind. There was no such thing as a coincidence. Anything that appears to be random is usually a well thought out plan. Catching the uneasy way that she was studying him, almost in fear, Johnny quickly kissed her forehead, wanting to reassure her that he wasn't going to lose it. "Was you aware from the beginning that Spinelli never stopped working for Lorenzo?" Feeling her jerk at his words, he shrugged. "It wasn't hard to figure out when you were able to keep him silent. I am positive that he knew what he was doing was by hiding that you were alive was a huge gamble. The only way that Spinelli would've taken that risk is if he had no other options."

"Spinelli wasn't still working for Lorenzo, but you're correct in a way. Lorenzo and Spinelli both learned that they shared a connection that made it impossible for Lorenzo to try and kill Spinelli again even after he had betrayed Lorenzo by going to work for Jason and for Spinelli to have no loyalty to him. Lorenzo's first love, a woman named Sophie, was Spinelli's aunt. But Spinelli never once told Lorenzo anything about Jason's business." Georgie licked her lips and smiled halfheartedly. "I used that to get Spinelli to cooperate with what I wanted. I never wanted to manipulate people like Maxie did, but I had to use the available resources that I had."

Disagreeing with her choices but accepting that she had done what she had while feeling alone, Johnny muttered another curse. There was a good chance that Morgan was going to flip tomorrow when he learned everything. Hell, Johnny wanted to throttle the hacker for all the unnecessary suffering that Georgie had faced. "And my father and Trevor? Do you know how they factor into this mess?"

"No. I assume that Sonny made a deal with them." Wearily exhaling, Georgie stepped away from his comforting presence. "Do you want out now that you know? I can't say that I'd blame you if you do, Johnny."

Capturing her wrists as she started to turn, Johnny spun her back to face him. Closing what little space there was between them, Johnny rested his forehead against hers. "Absolutely not! I already told you, Georgie, that I am here for the long haul. You and Baylor will never be unprotected or alone again." His lips brushed hers before he pulled back slightly. "Are you planning on running again?"

"No. Baylor deserves a real childhood, filled with happiness. I can't give her that if I am dragging her around the world."

"Good. I'm glad that you accept that you are safer here. Between the WSB, the families, Helena, Sonny, Jerry, and my father, I would have to kick your ass if you thought about taking off again." His smirk faded and his face became serious. "I have to tell Jason all of this tomorrow, Georgie. Factoring in Helena and Sonny makes Elizabeth and the boys' safety an issue too. It also brings to light an entirely different angle to explore with Lucky and Sam."

Her shoulders sagged. "They're gonna hate me, Johnny." She couldn't even blame them if they did. She was still stunned that Johnny had not hightailed it out of there after listening to her. His constant support and the way that he made her feel was starting to make her hopeful for the future. There was something about the handsome man standing in front of her that made her walls start to crumble no matter how much she fought to keep them intact.

Caressing her cheek, he sighed. "Georgie, Jason and Elizabeth care about you. They're worried. I don't know how else to say this to get you to believe me, but none of what happened is your fault. You never asked for any of this. And while Jason will probably agree that you should've never had Spinelli promise to keep that you were alive a secret, he will not hate you." Hating to ask, but needing to make sure that she had told him everything, he cleared his throat. "Is there anything else that I should know? No more keeping things hidden, Georgie. I need to make sure that you have not held anything back. Do you need to tell me anything else?"

OoOoOoOoOoOo

Disembarking from the jet, a feral grin lit his dark features as he spotted the waiting men. It was time to show Morgan and Zacchara that they could not continue to keep what was rightfully his any longer. Once the plan was in motion, there would be no stopping the destruction that had been carefully plotted.

"Everything set to go?" he demanded as he approached the group.

"But of course, Corinthos." Anthony cackled as saw the lines on the Cuban's face. Evidently a forced retirement had not been enjoyable for the selfish, egotistical man.

Ignoring the disgusted looks as he popped another pain pill into his mouth, Lucky pointed a finger at the former mob boss. "Remember our deal. I'll help you with Morgan but Liz is to remain unhurt. My faithless bitch of an ex-wife is mine to deal with."

Sonny chuckled as he slid into the waiting limo. "As long as you get my former partner out of the way and keep him distracted, you can do as you please with Elizabeth Webber. I am sick to death of her interfering and causing Jason to stray from what he's supposed to do." Even as he spoke the words aloud, Sonny knew that Elizabeth would cease to be a concern, as well as Spencer, once Helena took action. "Where is Luke?"

"Feeding Robert info on the other slut's movements," Lucky sneered.

No one in the car noticed the way that Anthony's eyes narrowed except for Trevor. Both knew that the young woman needed to be obtained without any actual harm coming to her or her young daughter. They were the key to controlling almost all of the eastern seaboard shipping lanes. If his own son was not such a pain in the ass, Anthony wouldn't have to be dealing with Corinthos and Spencer. It was too bad that John had a conscious and would think it was honorable to protect the little brat's heritage until she was of age. But on the bright side, Anthony knew that he could use his son's wife to keep John docile and doing as he was told. It had sickened Anthony what he had seen in his son's eyes when he looked at his young wife. He'd been taught that women were not to be trusted or loved.

"And Sam? What're you going to do with the tramp, Spencer? She hates Elizabeth?"

"That's the beauty, Sonny. I won't have to lift a finger. Morgan is already frothing at the mouth to get his hands on her after all she has done. Hell, O'Brien could kill her before long if we are lucky."

Sonny stilled. "O'Brien is dead," he stated flatly while his gut clenched.

"Nope," the arrogant drug addict cheerfully corrected, knowing that this would create more of a chasm between the former partners. "He was at GH tonight. Trust me when I say that he looked perfectly healthy. Lulu also found proof on the geek's computer that Georgie spent time with him in Ireland before she came home with Diego's bastard."

Trevor exchanged a look with Anthony. Johnny and Morgan were enough of a challenge, but factoring in John O'Brien meant that they would have to rethink their plans. Before acting rashly and losing their advantage, they would need to learn exactly what kind of problem that the unknown man would create for them. Listening to Sonny rant to himself, it was clear that he considered this man a threat to obtaining his goals.