Disclaimer…I do not own GH or the characters….No copy write infringement intended…..For entertainment purposes only….

Chapter Thirty-Two

Sitting on the floor with her back resting on the closet door, Georgie let her eyes drift closed while letting the sound of Baylor's soft breathing lull her into a relaxed state. She was acutely aware of the men checking her bedroom over and guessed they'd be removing the flowers as well. Unable to deal with Logan hovering, watching her speculatively, she'd sought sanctuary in the one room she knew he wouldn't be able to follow and ask her questions. And if she was honest with herself, Georgie needed to visually see her daughter. While she never thought Diego capable of harming her in anyway in the past, she'd made decisions he would not approve of during the time he was supposedly dead. Until she looked in his eyes, Georgie had no clue what to expect from him. The man she remembered had always been unpredictable and rash and she feared those tendencies may have worsened over time.

The familiar voices of Johnny, Jason, and OB broke past the memories and worries weaving through her mind. Unconsciously stiffening, she rubbed her temples. The prospect of facing that trio, especially one in particular, had her nervously chewing on her bottom lip. Georgie pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs, burying her head as she tried to take comfort in Baylor's regular breathing pattern. Forgotten memories from the Black and White Ball rushed back to the forefront of her mind, causing her to shudder and whimper.

Jason tossed the two flowers in his hand back to Wilson so they could be disposed of along with rest. Diego accessing the house created a major concern. He still couldn't quite believe the man had left his daughter undisturbed. Diego's frame of mind worried him. Why didn't he just approach Georgie in the open? Why the cloak and dagger tactics? "Why these flowers?" he asked aloud.

"She said he always gave her these," Logan briskly responded while tying up a trash bag filled with the blooms.

"There must be a meaning behind why these certain types."

"Red tulips represent perfect love. A white carnation signifies the love is pure." Johnny shrugged at their silence. "I grew up with a man unnaturally obsessed with flowers. You pick up on things you never wanted to know."

"So he wanted to let her know that he still loves her?" O'Brien asked with doubt. "Why break in and take the chance of getting caught?"

"He's cocky."

"Or sending a message that he can get to them anytime he wants," Johnny growled. "He was thought dead before I arrived in Port Charles. What was Diego like?"

"Young, hotheaded, angry, and pure trouble," Jason answered with a frown. "But with Georgie he showed a completely different personality. I just don't know if it was an act or a side that she brought out. He went to extreme lengths at one point to win her away from Dillon."

"Who freaking cares! He had no reason to sneak in if he only wanted to make contact with her again."

"O'Brien's right," Johnny agreed.

Logan snorted, gaining all three's attention. "Really? You'd walk up to the door of the house where guards are stationed outside and knock while it's believed that you are dead, let alone the TMK. I sure as hell wouldn't! Do I think him doing what he did is right, no. But it's a bit more complicated than just strollin his happy ass up and ringin the bell."

"I want his ass found," Johnny evenly stated. "I don't give a good damn why. Diego crossed a line purposely." His hand swept in the now empty bed's direction. "He meant to make a statement."

Jason silently agreed. It took guts to do what Diego had done. "I'm going to the house to catch some shut eye and talk to Elizabeth in the morning. Then we have to meet and discuss the warehouse as well as other concerns that seem to be cropping up around every corner. We'll meet at the office at ten." He stopped on the steps and looked back at O'Brien. "Send someone to relieve Marco but make it clear that if they mess up, I will personally correct their mistake."

"Sam's on ice," he explained after Morgan left.

Johnny grinned for the first time in hours. "About time."

"Do you want more men called?"

"No. Wilson and Milo are here and I'm not leaving until I have to for the meeting." His eyes strayed to the closed bedroom door where he knew Georgie was. "Can you handle getting everything set for in the morning?"

"Yep. Cody's helping me since using Hayes isn't an option."

"Corelli?"

"At Elizabeth's. My guess is he is calling his contacts in the government."

Johnny waited until the house emptied out before deciding that delaying talking to Georgie wouldn't be beneficial. The way she had curled into herself on the floor across from her sleeping daughter spoke volumes about her mood. Leaning on the door frame and watching her, Johnny stayed still until she eventually lifted her head.

Ignoring the hand he stretched out, Georgie slowly got to her feet while looking anywhere but at him. The palm of his hand on her back had her gritting her teeth but she didn't react until they were in their room. Pulling away from him, she whirled around as her temper slowly built.

"How could you let me go in there not knowing, Johnny?"

He could deal with her anger as long as she was talking. Her normal response was to hold everything in, so he welcomed the chance to clear the air. "I wanted to tell you, Georgie, but how did I bring it up into conversation? And there was a chance that Barrett wouldn't bring it up."

Her mouth fell open. "And I never would've been the wiser?"

"Yes! What good did it do for you to remember, Georgie? Not a damn thing except for to hurt you! I'm afraid that you're close to breaking! Anybody would under the pressure! How much more are you supposed to take, Georgie?"

"Damn it, Johnny! You don't get to decide what I can deal with! D-do you know h-how bad it h-hurt to learn that? And the w-worst part was y-you fucking knew!" Turning away from the compassion in his face, she tried to calm her rapid breathing. She felt him behind her but didn't bother moving away again. It did no good. He'd only follow her. "How c-could I block that out, Johnny?" she whispered tearfully.

Her slender shoulder dropped in despair and he mentally cursed the man to hell and back before slowly resting a hand on each shoulder. His eyes closed in relief when she stepped back into the warmth of his chest. Sliding his arms down so they circled her, Johnny rested his head on top of hers while they both stared out the window. "I can tell you what Barrett told me, if you want to know. Maybe I should've found a way to tell you before, but I just wanted to spare you what you are feeling now."

She nodded once while attempting to stem her tears.

Johnny forced himself to talk, hating the answers he had to her questions. "Coop slipped a drug into one of your drinks that he got you, before the lights even went out and the party went to hell. He planned it all along."

Georgie trembled and her stomach rolled. "Why? I never…"

"Shh." He lightly kissed her hair. "He was sick, Georgie. Sicker than anyone ever could've imagined. You did nothing, absolutely nothing, to cause him to do what he did."

"I don't remember everything," she confessed, her words uneven and her breath coming in little gasps. "The conversation came rushing back and I freaked. I could feel my head spinning and wanting to get away from him but c-couldn't."

Comprehension dawned as Johnny realized what she believed. "He didn't rape you, Georgie," he whispered, hating even the word. "Emily must have been searching for candles or flashlights and entered the room. Barrett killed her so she wouldn't talk about what she had seen. By the time he got back to the room, he said you were gone. I remember running into you in the hall and you were dazed, confused. I thought you were just frightened and took you back to the main room where most everyone was gathered." Keeping her upright when her legs gave out, Johnny supported her as she processed what he'd told her. His own guilt threatened to overwhelm him. If he'd just opened his eyes years ago and seen how perfect she was, none of this would be an issue. "I'm so sorry."

Georgie turned in his arms and snuggled as close as possible while clutching his shirt in her fingers. "Oh God! I thought…"

"I know, baby, I know," he murmured, his lips brushing her hair.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

The binoculars bounced off the wall and fell into pieces on the bare floor. The sight of her holding onto the dark haired man left him enraged. The fire at the docks should have had her packing up the kid and leaving, not draping herself all over his son. Anthony grumbled aloud incoherently as he paced the small width of the room, plotting to get the stupid woman away from his John.

Finding Diego gone after returning to his family home, the old man had flew off the handle. Killing the dock workers, while not a hardship for him, should have sent the simpering girl hightailing it in the opposite direction. And once she lost her guards, which he knew was in her abilities, he planned on snatching the little brat up.

Now the idea of just permanently ending her life looked like his best shot. Up until Alcazar managed to escape, Anthony intended to let Georgianna live. The spell she held over John was too much of an advantage not to use it against him. Weaknesses existed to be exploited, and all love was the best weakness of all.

Picturing the small but curvy brunette in his mind, he just didn't understand the allure. Yes, she was gorgeous. But worth giving up one's life for, no, Anthony doubted it. First Diego Alcazar returned from the dead to save her and now his John was creating a storm that he'd never be able to contain without collateral damage. Georgianna Jones had to go. There was no way he'd let that slut destroy his flesh and blood. In return for her sacrifice, Baylor could live. He needed her alive to carry out his plan after all. John could have the whiny brat to raise and Anthony may even graciously step in to lend a supporting hand. The chance that her biological father would step up decreased with every attempt the man made to contact the slut and the brat. Pushing John to kill the man would not be difficult, and it would save Anthony the headache of looking over his shoulder.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

Seeing the bed was empty, Jason entered the bathroom after a quick rap and saw his fiancée hugging the toilet. He hated knowing her morning sickness seemed to have made a sneak attack. She'd felt fine for the past week and they both assumed the nausea and vomiting had waned. He wet a cloth and placed it on the back of her neck, earning a soft moan. "You should have called me."

Her forehead scrunched. "To hold my hair while I get sick, no thanks. You were needed more at the warehouse." Her sapphire eyes searched his icy blue ones. Without asking she read his features and body language. "I'm sorry, Jason."

"Our men paid a price for mine or John's actions."

His guilt filled the room, making her sigh. "You can't see the future. No one predicted this type of viciousness." Sliding back down on the cool tiles when a wave of dizziness swept over her, Elizabeth closed her eyes. "I hate that those men died in such a horrible fashion."

Easing her into his arms, Jason helped her stand and steadied her while she brushed her teeth before splashing water on her face. When she swayed again he picked her up and carried her to their bed and deposited her gently before stripping his clothes off as well before joining her between the sheets.

"John and I are meeting with everyone at ten to go over all that we know."

"Are we still taking Cam and Jake to the carnival?"

He frowned. "The public setting will be a security nightmare."

Disappointment jutted her lower lip out. "The boys are really looking forward to it, Jason."

He sighed. "Let me discuss it with Francis and Johnny. The only way I will even consider it is if those two are with us along with Marco, Cody, and Ritchie. And I don't think Zacchara is gonna go for it. Diego got in their house tonight."

"What! How? He's got guards all around."

"No idea, but he did. Georgie's been through the gantlet after talking with Spinelli, then Barrett, and went home to find her bed covered in flowers."

Elizabeth shivered. "That's not normal, Jason. I'll go see her tomorrow. Him showing up right as she's starting to let herself be happy is going to do a number on her emotions."

Not entirely sure how to approach the next topic, he nuzzled her neck and grinned when she involuntarily moaned, her body arching into his. "Um, Sam was caught on the edge of the property tonight."

Going completely still, Elizabeth waited for the rest. No matter how hard she'd tried, forgiving the woman for all she'd done after Jake was born hadn't been in her. To see her walking around town sent a stab through her heart, but Elizabeth accepted Jason carrying guilt for her injury from Manny, even if Elizabeth didn't fully agree.

The tension in her body made it painfully clear that Francis had been correct. Elizabeth assumed he was only going to warn Sam off again. Grimacing at what a fool he'd been, Jason exhaled heavily. "Marco detained her. Tonight I'm going to take care of the problem that she poses."

Moving her head so she could watch his face, Elizabeth shook her head. "Jason, you don't have to do this for me."

"Yes, I do," he countered roughly. "I made a mistake by letting her and Carly treat you the way did all those years, Elizabeth. Honestly, I failed you by not ending the danger she brought after she hired those men in the park."

"I don't need you to do this for me to believe in you, Jason."

His fingers curled around the strands of her hair while he kissed her soft lips. "Thank you for trying to give me an excuse, but it's overdue. Francis was right. If Sam had been a male she'd never have survived the first incident."

An hour later he slid from the bed, careful not wake her. Sleep evaded him after their conversation. Her attempting to make it easier on him to let Sam walk had his teeth grinding in self-loathing. There was no excuse for his past transgressions, only the opportunity to correct them.

Thirty minutes later he entered the small two bedroom safe house and nodded once at the guard. Letting the stony mask fall into place, Jason shoved the door open and observed his ex when she jerked awake at the sudden bang. The relief and calculating gleam in her eyes only served to increase his anger.

Letting her muffled cries penetrate the silence, he removed the gun from his waistband and finally saw fear fill her face. "Shut up!" he snapped when her attempts to communicate grew louder. "You've had years whispering in my ear, now you get to listen to me."

"I stupidly let you live after you hired men to threaten the woman I love and my children with loaded guns, Sam." A cold grin spread over his features when she shook her head and tears poured from her disbelieving eyes. "That and standing back and doing nothing as you watched an unstable woman kidnap Jake. I hate myself for allowing you to continue to breath, let alone taking you back into my life."

Frantically twisting and trying to break free from the bonds confining her to the chair, Sam swallowed back the bile that rose in her throat. His blank face and monotone words promised he was serious and that she finally had pushed him too. To die at the hands of the man that she loved all because of the baby stealing whore tore at her heart. She knew, just knew, that Jason was meant to be hers. They were fated! No matter the obstacles they never remained separated!

"You have nothing I want to hear," he spat, understanding that she wanted him to remove the tape from her mouth. "After tonight you'll be nothing but a bad memory, and even that will fade over time, Sam. And while you are burning in hell with Sonny as company, I want to you remember that it was me who sent you there. That great love that you and Molly go on and on about, that's mine and Elizabeth's. She's been my dream since I saw her sitting in Jake's while she was still a teenager." His eyes soften softened for just a flash and she shrieked at the sincerity of his words. "Now that I have tasted that dream, nothing and no one will ever come between us again. You, Sonny, and eventually Lucky and Carly can all bitch and moan from the deepest pit of the bowels of hell and it won't change what Elizabeth and I have. I love her, Sam, not you."

With three strides he was standing directly in front of the hysterical woman who alternated between pitiful pleading stares and hate filled glares. Placing the gun to her head, Jason waited until her wet eyes connected with his for the last time. "Burn in hell, bitch. My only regret is that you lived this long before I'm doing now what I should have years ago."

Unmoving, Jason waited until her body stopped twitching before exiting the room and grabbing the duffel bag he'd brought in with him. "Call a cleanup crew and get this place scrubbed down," he ordered before walking to the shower with a sense of a weight having been removed from his shoulders.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

"Georgie."

"Hmm." The sleepy response muffled from her head still on his chest was the only sign she heard him.

He frowned at ruining the tranquil peace that had slowly settled over them. He knew she'd have another rough night filled with nightmares as more memories resurfaced in her mind, but Georgie had pulled on her seemingly endless inner strength after Johnny told her the events as he knew them. While he expected her to be up and down most of the night after they went to bed, he didn't know if it was good or bad that she was able to block anything bad so easily from her thoughts. Reluctantly unwinding his arms from around her, he stepped back and waited until she opened her eyes in confusion.

Blinking back the beginnings of the haze of sleepiness, Georgie ran her fingers through her tangled hair. "You wanna talk about Diego now, don't you?"

"I think its past time that we had this conversation," he conceded while leading her by the hand over to the bed that he'd changed the sheets on before tracking her down in Baylor's room. "After the night you've had, I wish it could wait but that's not really possible after what you walked in here and found."

"What do you want to know?" she asked resigned to having the conversation.

"First, do me a favor and stop avoiding looking at me."

Georgie slowly complied.

"Before we get into talking about your past with him, I need you to be honest with me." Doing his best to keep his voice even, he turned so that they face each other. "I know you mean it when you say that you love me, Georgie. It's in your voice and your eyes, so I don't doubt that you mean it. But I need to know if you are still in love Diego too."

"Johnny…"

"Forget about everything except for him. Don't worry about what I will think or if it will effect anything." His hand cupped the side if her face and his fingers skimmed over her cheek. "Are you still in love with Diego?"

"He's the father of my child, Johnny. I can't not care for him, that's not who I am."

"I know, just like I know that you don't sleep with people that you don't have some kind of strong feelings for. You loved him, there is no question in my mind that you did. I'm asking you if you want another chance with him. Logan said you were transfixed by those flowers, Georgie, and it wasn't fear."

Wetting her lips, she blinked to give herself a second. "I did love him. And up until I walked through that door, I never allow myself to imagine that he was alive, Johnny. Spinelli and C-Cooper lied about so much. I just ignored the possibility in any true sense of considering it." His hand fell away and she reached for him while shaking her head. "Don't you do that! Don't you start trying to read meaning into what I am saying! No, I am not in love with Diego, but I do love him. But, you, Johnny, you are who I can't imagine not waking up to tomorrow, or not being there when I need you. I'm in love with you!" Tears cascaded down her face. "But I'm terrified of what will happen when we see each other again. I've been drawn to him even when I didn't want to be in the past."

Using his thumbs to dry under eyes, Johnny touched his lips with hers in the barest of caresses. "Most importantly, I love you, Georgie. I'm not going to walk away from what we have now or in the future. Even if you'd still been in love with Diego, I wasn't going to just say goodbye and wave as you built a life with him. Our relationship may have came about rather uniquely, but you are my wife. And unlike Dillon, I'll fight for you, to keep you as mine. All I ask is that you be upfront and honest with me. If or when you see Diego, don't keep what you feel from me. If you do that, we won't have a problem. Anything else, I'm not worried over. Promise me that one thing."

"I promise."

"Good." His insecurities fell away and he paused, considering how to phrase the next question. Georgie's openness at this moment was more than Johnny had ever got from her, but he wondered if the next question would slam the door shut. "Has he ever hurt you? Besides drugging you back in 2005?"

"No. I was one of the few that he was careful to shield about the darker side I know he had."

"Past tense," Johnny pointed out. "Do you still think it'd be the same?"

Her chin wobbled fractionally. "Depends on how he reacts to certain things and how badly Helena and Jerry messed up his mind. If I guess, I'd say he wouldn't hurt me."

Guess didn't satisfy Johnny. From all he gathered, Georgie supported and defended the man no matter what her friends and family said. Her uncertainly made the next statement much easier for him. "Until we can be sure that he isn't a danger to you or Bay, you need to stay away from him unless I am with you."

"That's ridiculous, Johnny," she protested.

"No, it's smart," he corrected.

"But…"

"Georgie, you can't change my mind. If he gets pissed, I don't give a damn. Tough shit."

"What about Bay? He's her father."

"One she thinks is dead," he pointed out softly. "She's going to need time to get used to the idea and Diego is going to have to accept that."

Georgie threw her hands out to her sides. "You like to dictate orders, Johnny. I'm pretty sure I told you domineering didn't work." She yelped when she was suddenly flat on her back with him leaning over her, a wicked smirk curling her toes.

"Are you hinting at being in control tonight?" he teased before rolling them so she was straddling him. "I'm game if you are." As her face flushed, he made sure the flash of panic he'd glimpsed when playfully pinning her down dissipated before gently coaxing her to respond.

They sprang apart minutes later, thankfully mostly still clothed, when the bedroom knob rattled and Baylor entered, rubbing her eyes with both hands. Her words had the effect of a bucket of ice cold water being tossed on the married couple.

"Momma, wheres Daddys goes? He pwomised I'd sees him soon. He cames back from heaven!"