A/N – Thanks for continuing to read this. It's starting to get dicey on Spooky Island and next chapter, all hell breaks loose.

Chapter 48

Jason's eyes slowly opened. He has no concept of time, just pain and delirium. His body is almost numb from the cold, and the drugs are taking their toll on him. Water is poured over him and his tongue lashed out to taste some. He's shocked when it's poured into his mouth and almost forgot how to swallow but managed to somehow gag it down.

"See, I can be nice." Jason Morgan is a mess. His guest probably has another day before his body succumbs to all his injuries. Burns from the prod peppered his body, not to mention the various cuts they had made to torture him with alcohol which covered his stomach. He pulls out a syringe and injects some more drugs. If he doesn't, Jason won't make it through the next round. He's shocked he's made it thus far. The queen will be pleased, but the doctor can't help but be impressed. Jason hardly ever grimaced and just took the pain.

Helena entered the room. She had told him to leave Jason's face alone for now, and they had done as she asked. "How is he?" Her eyes took in the scene. Jason is a bloody mess.

"Breathing…"

"How long?"

"Another day at most."

"I'm surprised. Make it last longer. Leave him be until tomorrow."

"Whatever you wish, my queen."

"Clean him up too. There is no need to be uncouth. It smells in here."

The doctor nodded. Luckily there is a drain on the floor so they can just hose him off. It will probably hurt like hell, so now is the perfect time to do it since the drugs are taking full effect.

Helena left to go to check on Stefan, pleased with their progress. Once Jason is dead, his body will be found on the docks and Elizabeth will be a widow. The marriage will happen right away. There is no reason to delay the inevitable. By then, she'll decide whether Stefan lives or dies. It depends on how much she can break him. He's not as strong as Jason, so the torture is slower.

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The next morning, Emily fed Johnny some toast.

"No jam?"

"Not yet. We need to make sure you'll tolerate it." He's doing better but is still having bad headaches. The doctor said his swelling is reducing though.

"I hate being hurt." Once he finished, he sighed heavily. "Talk to me."

"I'm fine, Johnny."

"No, you're not. Say what you want to say."

She plopped onto a chair. "I'm pissed and feel helpless. You're hurt and I'm worried."

"I'm fine."

"You are far from fine. We have no idea what damage was truly done."

"I have a hard head."

"That's the truth," Maggie said joining them. She pressed her hand on his forehead and is pleased to find it at a normal temp. "I need you to understand something."

"Yeah?"

"You are going to be here probably for weeks."

"No."

"I swear to the Lord Almighty that I will tie you down if I have to. The doctor said that you need to rest as much as possible for the next few weeks, and he may still need to do surgery due to the placement and swelling. You're not out of the woods yet, and this is the perfect place to recuperate. Emily is safer here. Even if you defeat Helena, you have no idea what she has set in place after her death."

Johnny can't argue with that logic. "Ma, be reasonable."

"This is me being reasonable. Wrap your mind around it, because if you come up against me, you know who'll win."

She practically stomped away as Emily smirked.

"Are you on her side?" he said after noticing her expression.

"Hell yeah. I will kick your ass too if you don't listen."

"Women…."

"Men…"

He shut his eyes. If his mother has her way, he'll never leave. It's like a conspiracy to do him in, and he has no one to back him up. He'd pout but doesn't want to give her the satisfaction.

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Sam goes over her plan again.

Harry is impressed. "I think it will work."

She smiled. "Me too." Because they are expecting her to be fishing in the area, they won't question the boat moving to the other side. I'm going to sunbathe for a while too."

He shook his head.

"I don't mind being the distraction."

"I'll stay hidden."

"I'll get changed."

She disappeared and when she returned, he was impressed.

"Alright, move us closer to the island, so they can see me, and then go to the spot that I need you in. We'll go the long way, so they'll see us."

"You got it." He waited until she was settled and then moved closer. At one point, he could hear a few whistles.

Sam pushed up on her elbows and then waved before lying down again.

Harry sped up and then guided the boat to the right area.

They are being watched, but the guards on the island aren't worried about them at all and didn't even report it.

The position they are in won't be in her direct sight if Helena should venture onto her balcony, so they are safe.

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Elizabeth rubbed her belly as she walked around the room. The babies had dropped a little bit and she wonders if the stress is taking a toll. She tried humming to calm herself. The nighttime is the worst because she has problems sleeping without Jason and getting comfortable. God, she misses him. "Please be alive," she whispered. "Fight Jason."

Nikolas better come through or she'll stab Helena before she lets that witch take her child.

Taking a deep breath, she stilled and then moved to the window. Every day is bleeding into another, and she wonders if the next day will be Jason's last. They are all at the whim of a mad woman. She can't imagine what they are doing to her husband, and it chills her to the bone to think about it.

A slight cramp pierces the silence of her world, and she cries out his name. "Jason!"

The door flies open, and the maid puts down a tray and runs to her side. "What's wrong?"

"I'm not sure. It could be anything."

"Come. You must lay down."

Elizabeth allows her to help, and she lays on the bed as the woman props up some pillows.

"Should I get the doctor?" She hands Elizabeth some water.

"For now, I'll just rest. Thank you."

The woman nods and brings the tray over. There is some fruit, crackers, and cheese on it. "Mr. Nikolas thought you might like a snack." Her hand slipped into her pocket, and she grabbed something and put it on the plate. "He said you like chocolate."

Liz nodded. "Thank you." She doesn't trust the woman as far as she can throw her and thinks she may have a gun in her pocket.

Once she was locked in again, she drank some water and then ate the chocolate first, savoring every bite. At least Nikolas is good for something.

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Ryan called home to talk to his brother.

"What's up?"

"How are you feeling?"

"A little better. Everyone is driving me crazy."

Emily smirked and then went back to reading her book. He's just going to have to suck it up because the women in his life are not playing.

Ryan smiled. "Ma has a lot of time to make up for."

"What's going on?"

"A lot is at stake."

"I wish I was there."

"I thought maybe I could talk and you can fill in the holes."

"Go for it." Johnny shut his eyes as his brother broke it down. He feels good that he can make a few suggestions. It's a tough plan and mistakes won't be forgiven. He just hopes they don't lose too many men and that Jason is still alive. "You sound tired."

'I'm exhausted."

"Have you called your wife?"

"She's next."

"You need her strength. Call her and then try to get some rest tonight. You need it so your heads in the game."

"I know."

"I don't think anyone else would have the balls to pull this off."

Ryan smirked. "I got it like that."

Johnny grinned. "You do. Pa would be proud."

Ryan shut his eyes. "I needed to hear that."

"I'm just pissed that you get to have all the fun."

"I'll make you proud, knucklehead."

"Be safe."

"I will." He has no intention of dying.

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Lila silently said another prayer for Jason and Elizabeth and prays that every person who helps with the rescue will be safe.

Edward touched her shoulder. "Monica said your blood pressure is too high."

"It's hard to stay calm. Tomorrow could be awful. I'm putting my faith in people I don't even know."

"Your faith has gotten this family through a lot."

Monica entered the room. "He's right. Quartermaines don't quit and neither will Jason."

"Amen," Alan said.

"Francis told me that they are moving in early. I'll be on call at the hospital. If they bring him in, Epiphany knows who to call," Monica said.

"I switched shifts, so I'll be working as well," Alan said.

Lila felt a little better. "Thank you."

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Sonny poured himself a drink. It had been a long day. He glanced at the house phone and noticed that there is a message and pushed a button.

"Sonny…"

His body jerked as he stared at the phone in shock.

"I'm okay. Don't worry about me. I'm just doing what I have to. I miss your cooking."

Sonny grinned.

"I miss everything about you. I hope you're not mad at me."

A tortured sound left Sonny's mouth. His emotions regarding her are all over the place and just depend on the time of day and his mood, but at the heart of it, he'll do anything to get her back.

"I'll be home soon and then we'll talk. Love you."

He knows that she can't hear him but he says, "I love you too," and then says a prayer that she stays safe.

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When Jason wakes up, he's surprised to find himself alone. Every inch of his body aches, and now, he feels cold in every bone. His body trembles as the drugs make it hard to focus. He's not sure how much more his body can take, but his will is still strong. He has to get back to Elizabeth and the baby. Hopefully, Sonny and the guys will find him, but he feels so weak.

Someone enters the room and notices the temperature and Jason's condition and makes a phone call. He's instructed to turn the heat on, so he messes with a portable heater until it comes on and then leaves.

Jason can't keep his eyes open and falls into a deep sleep. Two hours later, they woke him up to begin the torture again.

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Ryan got dressed and then headed to the warehouse. Slowly, the men trickled in and are met by people handing out coffee and breakfast sandwiches.

Sonny moved next to Ryan. "She left me a message."

Ryan is surprised. "She's okay?"

"She said she was. I get the impression she's striking out today."

Ryan doesn't have time to deal with her and hopes that she'll be okay. Due to his training, he will go in with the first underwater crew and then cover for those coming ashore afterward. Once they have enough men on the island, they'll storm the castle. They will be arriving from several different areas on the island, so that will hopefully provide a lot of confusion and fear, and Helena's men won't be able to attack all areas.

Milo knocked and then poked his head through the doorway. "Five minutes."

"I'll be right there." He said a quick prayer and then took a deep breath. It's time to kick ass and he's just the man to do it.

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Harry watched as Sam disappeared into the water. The shore isn't far, but there are probably some dangerous currents she'll have to encounter. There's a slight wind, but the weather is calm albeit cloudy. Through binoculars, he checks out the area that she is headed toward and it's all clear. It seemed like it took forever, but finally, her head poked out of the water and she quickly climbed on the rocks and made it to a small clearing. Quickly, she slipped on some sneakers she had brought in her waterproof backpack and then tightened a gun belt before stocking up on ammunition.

Harry holds his breath as she climbed up a small ledge and then disappeared into a patch of trees and hedges. Now, he waits and prays she stays alive.

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Carly ducks back when she heard a door open and listens. She had snuck into the catacombs to try and see if Stefan is still alive. He may be the key to helping her navigate the catacombs and escape. Helena may not have much use for her, so now, she's in survival mode.

"Leave him be for the next few hours. I just drugged him again because the pain seemed too great, so he'll probably sleep soon." It amazes him that Jason is still functioning. They had just almost drowned him and somehow, he made it, but breathing is painful when you have broken ribs.

"Something is going on and they need me on the grounds."

"That's fine. I'm going to my room. He's not going anywhere."

She darted into an empty room and waited until she heard no footsteps before creeping back into the hallway. After peeking around the corner, she made her way to a door and opened it. "Holy shit."

She shuts the door behind her and stares at Jason who is wet and shivering. A sob leaves her lips as she takes in his appearance. "What did they do to you?" After spotting a towel, she grabs it and kneels by his side. When she touched his skin, he jerked. "It's okay. It's me, Jason. It's Carly."

His head lopped to the side as he tried to focus with hooded eyes. "Carly?"

Tears run down her face as she tries to dry him.

"Ca—cold."

"I know. I'm trying to dry you off. I'm so sorry."

He said something else but slurred so badly, that she couldn't understand him.

"I'm going to get us out of here and take you somewhere safe." She has no idea how, but she'll find a way. When she spots a blanket, she grabs it and instead of putting it directly on him, she straddles his legs and wraps it around them both as she hugs him to her body, not realizing she's almost making him black out from the pain. "I'll get you warm."

"No," he mutters, trying to get her to stop her movement.

She pulls back and as she stares at his handsome face, everything else melts away. "I love you so much. We can go away and be together now. The hell with everyone else." Her hands find his face and her lips move closer to his before pressing against them several times.

He can't stop her because his hands are tied and he has no strength to buck her off, so he tries to say no, but it comes out like a moan.

"I knew you wanted me." She wildly kissed him as he struggled to stay conscious and tried to rub herself against him causing him to groan in pain. He can barely breathe and thoughts were beyond his reach as the drugs made him numb.

She took off her shirt and smiled. "I'm going to make this good for you."

The door flung open while they were in mid-kiss. "What the hell are you doing?"