Chapter Eighteen

Cooper shifted uncomfortably. The three men had fell silent as soon as Elizabeth had let him in after announcing that he needed to speak to Johnny. Georgie had told him where to find her husband when he had dropped Baylor at home. He'd debated on just telling Logan but figured that Johnny would want to talk to him personally. And as much as he disliked it, Georgie had married the mobster, so it was only right that he went straight to him with his concerns. Nodding at Jason and the other man that he had never seen before, he inwardly took a deep breath. It was obvious that he'd interrupted a meeting of some sort. The tension in the room was palpable.

"Is something wrong with Baylor?"

"No, but she is part of the reason that I tracked you down."

Johnny frowned but stayed silent, waiting for the other man to continue. He couldn't think of a single reason that Coop would feel compelled to seek him out that didn't mean bad news. He could tell that the cop had mixed feeling about his and Georgie's relationship even if he didn't voice them.

"I need to explain something first, so this will all make sense to you. Jason already is aware my past, but I was part of the team that was behind the Metrocourt Crisis in 2006. I ended up locked in the vault with Maxie while everything in the lobby happened. She helped me escape notice of the PCPD when it all ended."

"You worked for Jacks," he muttered as a feeling of dread coiled in his stomach.

"Yes, but just for that one job. I had no clue that he intended to torment the people caught in the lobby like he did. It's not something that I am proud of, Zacchara."

"How does this involve Baylor?" Jason demanded briskly, wanting Coop to get straight to the reason he was there.

"I received a text from Jerry toady. Or I assume it was from him. It was addressed to three, and since Corinthos, you, Maxie, Georgie, and Logan are the only other people that know what I did, it only could be from him."

"What did the bastard want?"

Recognizing the controlled anger in Johnny's voice, he wondered if he had made a mistake in not telling Logan and letting him deal with his bosses. "He didn't say, but the text was a picture of Baylor taken with Maxie and me at the park, today. He had to have been there close by but I never suspected that we were being followed. Milo and the other guard didn't seem to pick up on it either."

"Cooper, we appreciate you coming to us with this. You didn't mention it to Georgie?" Jason asked after Johnny turned, fist clenched, and walked out of the room without saying a word.

"Of course not," he answered, watching as the man that he didn't know followed Zacchara. He hoped it was to calm him down. Coop had been curious and worried about Georgie getting married so suddenly, but after witnessing the myriad of emotions flashing across his face, especially the murderous rage, he knew that Johnny truly cared for her and Baylor. "I thought that it would probably be best for it to come from Zacchara. Maxie doesn't know either. The pregnancy combined with her heart condition makes stress dangerous for her."

"Keep this to yourself for now. Let Johnny decide how to handle it. There's a lot happening that you aren't aware of, but I guarantee that he'll protect them. We all will."

Waiting until he was alone, Jason gritted his teeth. Complicated didn't even begin to describe the situation. He picked up the phone to order Spinelli to start tracking Jerry and Helena before snarling in frustration. His faith in the young hacker was destroyed. Johnny's assessment was correct. If the kid had just opened his mouth after Diego had died and he learned that his friend was alive, things would've never escalated to the boiling point that was close to imploding now. He knew that Zacchara wanted to kill the geek for his thoughtless actions. Truthfully, Jason understood. If it had been Elizabeth in that position, he would feel the same. The only thing saving Spinelli from certain death was Johnny's knowledge that Georgie may never forgive him, but Jason hoped Spinelli didn't run into Johnny anytime soon or even that may not save him.

If Helena was up to her old games that meant that Elizabeth was also a possible target. The Ice Queen had never accepted defeat at her hands all those years ago. They had to start eliminating the threats now. Lucky's downfall was already underway. Sam's he would initiate soon while Sonny would unwittingly take care of Carly. It was fitting in a way. Their own destructive and selfish tendencies were going to be their downfall.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

Pulling her hair up into a messy ponytail while Baylor played her small pool, Georgie lightly sang along with the radio. Having her little girl back home lifted the depression that had been threatening to bury her all morning and replaced it with contentment. Baylor's excitement and happiness was infectious and never failed to bring Georgie out of the dark memories from the past. All her dreams and goals for the future faded the moment that she learned that she was pregnant, but she never regretted having Baylor. Diego's being the TMK had shattered a piece of her heart but Georgie couldn't bring herself to hate him or wish away the time spent with him. She'd learned to keep all the pain separate and focus on only the good. At one time Diego had been a good friend, then her savior, and finally the father of her children. For that reason alone she owed it to him to give their daughter the best life possible.

"Penny for your thoughts, doll."

"They're worth way more than a penny, Logan," she answered with a smirk.

Leaning his back on the oak tree that she was sitting beneath and crossing his arms while scanning the backyard quickly, he chuckled. "Oh, I don't doubt that. Coop said that squirt over there loved the animals at the zoo."

"She's so curious about everything. I think that brain of hers never stops."

"Reminds me of someone else that I used to know," he muttered distractedly. The dark storm clouds he glimpsed on Johnny's face when he walked through the back gate caught his attention. "Um, someone looks pissed."

Georgie turned at the same time that Baylor squealed and went running as fast her little legs could carry her.

Spying the little girl barreling toward him, Johnny immediately grinned and caught the child, lifting her into his arms. "Hey, Bay! Did you have a good time with Maxie and Cooper?"

"Uh huh. But I missed you and Momma."

Not caring that she was soaking his shirt as she laid her head on his shoulder, he playfully tugged on her ponytail. "We missed you too, kiddo."

Impressed at how quickly he'd been able to push down the anger she had witnessed briefly, Georgie rose from the grass where she had been sitting. "I wonder what happened now," she sighed.

Logan heard the sorrow in her voice. "Don't get all down, doll. Morgan and Zacchara tend to get riled easily. It could be nuthin."

Incredulous, she snorted. "You're a great one to talk. How many times did I kick you out of Kelly's because of your infamous temper?"

He winked. "That's all in the past."

Johnny approached them with Baylor chattering to him about her trip to the zoo and park. Patiently waiting until the hyper imp ended her tale, he tweaked her nose before turning serious eyes to Logan. "O'Brien just left for the coffee house. He needs to talk to you, Wilson, Milo, and anyone else involved in your rotation."

"What about Morgan and who will be here if we are all there?"

Amusement flickered across Johnny's face. "Elizabeth was trying to escape the house so Jason is taking her and the boys to dinner. Don't worry about here for now. I'm not planning on leaving. Wilson knows to come back after you guys are done."

"Baylor, you soaked Johnny," Georgie scolded her after noticing that his clothes were wet.

Waiting until Logan had left, Johnny placed his free hand on the small of her back and steered them inside. "Don't worry about it. I can change, can't I, Bay?"

Giggling, she squeezed his neck in agreement.

Setting her on her feet just inside the kitchen, Johnny sent the child upstairs to get changed before halting her mother as she tried to slip by him too. "You look better than when I left this morning."

"I missed Baylor. Just having her home cheered me up," she admitted. "You okay? You looked mad when you got here."

"I'll explain later." Closing the small distance between them, Johnny encircled her wrist and felt her pulse beating erratically as he watched her blink. "I'm gonna go change before the rugrat gets back," he murmured.

Remaining quiet as he released her, Georgie watched in confusion as he bounded up the stairs. She cursed while checking on the bbq chicken in the crock pot. No matter how hard she worked to keep from feeling anything for him, Johnny was slowly making it impossible to keep him at a distance. And to be honest, she wasn't so sure that she wanted to anymore. The more time they spent together, the stronger the pull became. Georgie knew she was losing the ability to keep pushing him away and it scared her. The simple fact was if it was just her, she wouldn't hesitate to give in to the feelings he brought to life that had been dormant for years, but it terrified her that Baylor was so attached to Johnny. There was no way that she ever wanted her daughter to feel unwanted or like an obligation. She knew from firsthand experience that the pain of learning no one really wanted you never faded.

Fastening his jeans, Johnny reached for the shirt that he had dropped on the floor. As he bent down he caught sight a newspaper clipping sticking halfway out of a photo album. Pulling it out from under the bed, he decided to fix the clipping so that it was protected from wear and tear. If Georgie had taken the time to collect it, he didn't want it to get torn by accident. Opening the book and straightening it, he stopped at seeing the headline of the article along with the picture underneath. Diego Alcazar, son of Lorenzo Alcazar, apprehended after kidnapping Georgianna Jones, police commissioner's step-daughter. The grainy photo showed a younger version of Georgie watching as a dark haired man looking remarkably like Baylor was handcuffed. The next clipping contained speculation of her testimony and how she had taken up for her kidnapper on the stand. Exhaling heavily, Johnny continued to flip through the pages of photos that had been placed in the protective coverings. Inspecting the colored image of Baylor's father he was blown away by how much the little girl favored him. That no one in this town had realized that Georgie had his daughter when she returned astounded him. But it was the picture of him and Georgie at what he assumed was a school dance of some sort that shocked him. The couple clearly had deep feelings for one another if the way they looked at each other was any indication. Closing the book, he replaced it back to the spot that he had found it and pulled on his shirt while lost in thought.

After seeing those photographs and articles he began to piece together things that had made no sense. While she hated what he had become, it was obvious that Georgie had cared deeply for Diego at one time. Far enough back that she had tried to help him after he had kidnapped the high school student at gun point from the diner where she had worked. The way she worked so hard to keep from letting Johnny in also made more sense. She'd been betrayed by everyone, except for a very small handful, that she had placed her trust in. Georgie no longer believed her own judgment of character.

"Johnnys, Momma says dinner is almost done."

Swinging Baylor up into his arms, he kissed the top of her head while silently thanking Diego for screwing up so badly in the past. Through his mistakes, Johnny had found what he hadn't even realized he was missing until now. It didn't matter how long it took, he was determined to protect his family while also showing his wife that he wasn't going to let her hide from what they could share. Johnny wanted it all and wouldn't accept anything less. Georgie may be stubborn, but he was a Zacchara and they never gave up and admitted defeat.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

Elizabeth smiled innocently as Jason just shook his head in exasperation. Instead of going to Kelly's like he wanted, she managed to trick him into eating dinner at the Quatermaine's. While he no longer harbored ill will toward his family and was trying to bridge the rift between them, it didn't mean that he wanted to spend his evenings listening to his grandfather hint around about ELQ. The old man just refused to accept that Jason could not walk away from the life he'd chosen years ago without serious consequences.

"Have you two set a date?" Monica tried to diffuse the lingering animosity between the two adult males. She enjoyed being around her grandchildren too much to let the past interfere. It was bad enough that Dillon and Tracy were glaring at one another. She didn't need Edward to alienate Jason and cause him to ban them from any contact with Cam, Jake, and the baby on the way.

"We've been talking about the beginning of September. Maybe the 8th." Elizabeth patted Jason's thigh under the table.

"You could always use Lila's gardens. She always thought very highly of you, my dear."

Wincing, Jason shook his head. "I appreciate the offer, but I don't think it would be a good idea." His blue eyes shifted meaningfully to his sons who were chatting with each other, and then back. "There will be some guests that I'd prefer not to invite here."

"You mean like your business associates," Tracy sneered. "At least you have enough sense not to bring them into our home."

Monica groaned. "Tracy," she warned the bitter woman.

"Fine. I'll just leave since the golden child is back in the roost." Tracy stiffly stood and left the dining room after shooting one last dirty look at her nephew.

"What's the matter with Ms. Tracy? She looked like Mommy did the time that I put a frog in her bed."

Bursting into laughter, Dillon tousled Cam's dark curls. "Nothing like that, buddy. My mom isn't the nicest person at times."

"That's the understatement of the year," Edward grumbled under his breath.

Trying not to chuckle, Jason pulled his phone out when it rang. Seeing that it was a call he had to answer, he stood while looking at Elizabeth. "I'll be right back."

"How have you been feeling?" Monica asked her daughter's best friend. "Epiphany told me what happened last night. That woman needs to be dealt with."

"I'm great except for Jason trying to make me stay in bed all day. As for Carly, that's my fault. I never should've let her get to me. I know how she is but I think it was a combination of everything that had happened yesterday."

"You can't blame yourself for other's actions, Elizabeth. They are responsible for themselves. If it wasn't for Michael I'd wish that Carly had never stepped foot in this town."

"It's sad that she is the person that Lulu seems to molding herself after. After Lucky and I divorced, she started to go to her for advice more and more." Elizabeth was worried about the young woman that she had watched grow up. Her visit today had been strange and the reason behind it wasn't looking too good. Was there a Spencer alive that didn't scheme and lie for their own gain?

"At least she hasn't been attacking poor Georgie since she came back. Maybe being involved with Dante is good for her."

"If she's smart she won't bother Georgie or Baylor at all. Johnny won't put up with her stunts."

Dillon paused with his fork midair. "What does he have to do with anything? Johnny and Lulu are in the past, just like her and Logan."

"Johnny and Georgie got married," Jake announced, not noticing the way that the color drained from Dillon's face and his mouth fell open.

Feeling pity for the younger man, Monica grimaced. It was no secret that Dillon had wanted to reconnect with his ex. And while she wasn't surprised that Georgie moved on, she was dumbfounded to learn that she had married Jason's new business partner. "Georgie and Johnny? I didn't even think they really knew each other."

Saving Elizabeth from having to try and explain, Jason returned. "It's really their business, but I know that they are happy. Johnny adores Baylor and she's already attached to him as well." His eyes slid to his fiancée. "That was O'Brien. I need to meet him at the office. Sorry, but we need to go."

Not wanting the boys to leave already, Monica quickly offered a suggestion that had Cam and Jake cheering. "Why don't the boys stay? They're still eating and that way you and Elizabeth can have a night to yourself after you finish up. I'd be happy to drop them off when I go to GH tomorrow."

"Yeah! Please!" Cam cheered, his brown eyes begging. His new grandma tended to spoil him and Jake.

"We'll be good," Jake added with a huge grin.

Unable to resist their pleas, Elizabeth raised an eyebrow at Jason, knowing that it was decision to make.

"You do understand that I will have guys on the property if they stay," he softly warned his mother.

"It's not an issue, Jason. Whatever we need to do so we can spend time with the children is what we will do." Edward chuckled at his shocked expression. "I want them safe as much as you do. And this is your area of expertise. We'll trust whatever you think needs to be done. I won't even read the business section of the paper while they're here."

Choking on her sip tea, Elizabeth leaned over and kissed the old man's wrinkled cheek. Being present for him getting one up on Jason was well worth the unhappy looks that Jason had given her once he had learned where she wanted to go.

A/N: Once again I want to thank all the readers and especially those that take the time to review. It's nice to hear what you guys are thinking.

Also, I just wanted to give you a small preview and say that the next chapter will kick start the drama when someone makes a fatal mistake.

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