A/N – Thanks for the comments! Lucky and tears go hand in hand. Wahhh.

Chapter 7

Lucky's eyes filled with tears. "That Jake isn't mine? Yes. How could you, Jason?"

"We thought we were doing what was best for Jake and partly you."

"How can loving those children and then having them ripped away be good for me?"

"You weren't doing well and went to rehab for him. She was scared you'd relapse and end up hurting yourself."

"You are not God!" he growled. "Carly ripped Michael away from you, so you know how it feels. God, Jason. I loved those boys like they were my own and now, I have nothing, all because the two of you decided that not only was I pathetic, but you also tried to appease your guilt for abandoning your son by giving me one; not caring what it would do to me if the truth came out. It always does and you know that."

"I was scared I couldn't protect them."

"You've protected every else's kids."

"No, I haven't. I hated giving up Jake. It ate me alive."

"It should have. Now, you can scream it from the rooftops and she's free for the taking."

"I would never do that."

"Which part?"

Jason's eyes pressed shut for a moment. "Elizabeth doesn't want to be with me."

Lucky stood. "You're an idiot! I'm sure she has some pie-in-the-sky dream that her hero will change everything, but all you will bring is more pain because pain is what you know best, isn't it?

When Jason didn't reply, Lucky continued. "I get it, You are all dark and twisty and Elizabeth is your light. No matter what crushes her, she comes back even stronger. She makes you feel like maybe you are a better man when you're not. I get the attraction because Helena made me dark and my darkness probably dimmed her light many times, so forgive me for not jumping for joy that she is willing to plunge into a black hole with you and take her kids along for the ride for some dysfunctional hitman with Carly and Sonny as his role models. You're probably more screwed up than I am."

"Are you finished?"

"No. Either be a fucking man and claim them or make it clear to her that you're not an option because she doesn't deserve someone who runs away like you do. For being such a feared man, it's amazing how much you cowered when it came to Elizabeth."

"Why do you care?" He almost sounds like he wants him with Elizabeth when he knows damn well that Lucky is so jealous that he can't see straight.

"I love her. I may have a shitty way of showing it sometimes, but Elizabeth tends to get under your skin. I'm not gonna lie. I'm pissed at her for doing all of this and then giving up, but there's nothing I can do about it. She has made up her mind. I wish she'd just stay away from you, but she won't. It's up to you what happens next. Think carefully, Jason. Their lives are at stake."

Lucky left, leaving Jason at a loss for what to make of it. Part of him is glad that Elizabeth is free, but she's been free before and went back to Lucky. He's always been her safe choice. The guard came back and unlatched him from the table and led him back to his cell. They had done so much to keep this secret and now, it seems like Elizabeth wants to blow it all to hell, and he's not sure how to feel about it. There aren't many things that scare him, but right now, he's scared shitless that word is going to spread, and he won't be able to protect them from inside. He'll have to get word to Sonny to find out more details.

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Elizabeth rushed into the suite. "Sorry, I'm late."

Francis smiled. "It's fine. Pizza?"

She smiled and took the plate he handed her.

"Spinelli ran downstairs, Carly had to take a call, and Johnny is on his way up."

"Okay, I'm glad I'm not the only one that was delayed."

"Can I ask you something?"

She nodded as she took a bite. "Good."

"Are you sure you want to be with Jason?"

She sighed. "I know I've been kind of wishy-washy on that topic, but our timing has sucked."

"Be sure, okay? Jason is kind of a hot mess relationship-wise and you're running neck and neck. I don't think either of you could stand another heartbreak right now."

"I understand. I'm just tired of fighting it. Every time he holds Jake, it just breaks my heart. I should have never asked in the first place. I was just trying to hold on. Things with Lucky were off the rails, and I felt like I was drowning. Sometimes, you think back and realize that you may have hurt someone irrevocably."

"You both did some damage."

"True. There are many things I let go when I probably shouldn't have."

"You have to communicate better."

"You're right. I'm doing this for all of us. I know we said we were doing it for Jake, but the bottom line, is Lucky wasn't what Jake needed. He needs his father just as much as Jason needs him. Repairing that is first on my list. After that, I hope Jason and I can work through everything and move forward."

"I hope so too."

Johnny entered with Spinelli on his heels. "Carly is down the hall. She's coming."

They grabbed some pizza.

Carly entered the room as she put her phone in her pocket. "All right, what's the update?" She sat without getting any food.

"Luke said everything is still a go," Liz said. Without that piece of the puzzle, they are doomed.

"Good. I just saw Diane in passing," Francis said, "the trial is in a week."

"Shit," Carly said.

"That's cutting it close," Liz said.

"Even if we don't have everything, we'll have some of the video with the sightings. I think it will be fine," Johnny said.

"So, what are doing to Ric and Scott?" Carly asked.

Liz's gaze went to Johnny and Francis.

"I didn't know that was on the table, but I'm all for it," Johnny said.

"I could do some cyber damage," Spinelli said.

They are all deep in thought.

"Spinelli, do we have any pictures of the panic room?" Liz asked.

"I don't know."

"If we had pictures, we could get the story printed and released right after the trial."

Carly smiled. "He couldn't sue if we're willing to testify that it happened."

"I'll check with Max," Francis said.

"Maybe there is some dirty trail with him and Trevor. My ex needs to leave town," Liz said. It disgusts her that she even gave the man a second chance.

"I'll look into it," Spinelli said.

"We need to play dirty. At the very least, we can put some gossip about his affair with Sam," Carly said.

Liz gnawed on her lip.

"What?" Francis asked as he eyed her.

"I just worry about Alexis and the kids."

"I get what you're saying, but taking Ric down in any way will hurt Molly. He shouldn't get a pass. He should be in jail not trying to put Jason in one. Sam didn't care about them and yes, I know you want to feel like you are better than her and not sink to her level, but sometimes that is the only way to fight. Think of all the things Ric and Sam have gotten away with. You lost a child because of him and almost died. Alexis has nothing to be ashamed of," Carly said.

Liz sighed. "Fine… I'll talk to Edward. Do you want to do it before or after?"

"Maybe after. I want Ric to be embarrassed and sink himself with this trial. He deserves to be mortified," Francis said.

"I agree," Johnny said.

"All right, we'll release it the day of or after the verdict. If we can find something dirty to get his license taken away, then that's even better. Maybe we can pay someone off to say they created the recording for Ric so he could frame Jason," Liz said.

Johnny smirked. "I like the way you think. I'll work on it." There are lots of people who are willing to make a deal or take the fall. If Diane thinks she can procure a deal to get their patsy off, even better.

Carly's phone buzzed. "Damn it. I need to go, but I'll give it some more thought to Ric. We can work on ruining Scott Baldwin as well."

"There was a lot of sketchy stuff with him and Laura back in the day. I'll write some things down for you, Spinelli," Liz said. She needs to go get the boys.

"We all have our assignments. Let's make this happen," Francis said.

They left with a lot on their minds.

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Diane sat across from Jason. "Ric pushed for the trial to start in a week. How are things?"

"I'm fine."

"Can you hold on for a week?" She hates that he is in such danger. Ric and Scott are such pricks.

"I'll be okay." He has people watching his back. It's a dangerous situation, but it helps that people are so scared of him. If he goes down, it will be another story, but since he has a chance to be free, they won't endanger their families.

Diane eyed him skeptically. "There is the pesky witness list. Sam and Elizabeth are on there."

Jason's jaw ticked.

"I'll talk to her. Is there anything I should know?"

"No."

"Ric is going for the jugular. He thinks he has you dead to rights. We must play it smartly. I fear that he knows about Jake and will bring it up."

Jason's hand clenches. He'll have to kill him if he does that. "I don't want Elizabeth to lie."

"Then you better talk to someone and make sure they have extra security on them. You know he'll try to hurt her on that stand due to spite."

"Just do your best for damage control."

"I will." She stood. "Be safe."

He nodded as the guard entered the room. Back to hell. At least he will be kept at the county jail for the trial.

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Lucky stared at the divorce papers sighing loudly.

Luke sipped a drink. "You okay, Cowboy?"

"Not even close."

"Is she asking for anything?"

"No."

"That's good, right?"

Lucky shrugged. "It's just not right."

"I don't think things have been right between you in a long time."

"I don't know how to stop loving her."

"Don't. You always will love her to a degree, and you should. She has done a lot for you, but are you even in love with her? I think you're just used to each other and going through the motions. I've watched you for a while and I don't think you're happy."

"I thought I was."

"If you have to think about it, you're not."

Lucky stood. "I want to talk to her one more time."

"Cowboy…"

"I have to at least try."

"I think you already know the outcome but do what you have to do."

"Later…"

Luke watched him until the door shut behind him. "Kids…"

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Liz picked up her phone.

"Hi. Are the boys with you?"

"No, they are with Gram. Cam wanted to help her make cookies."

"Can you come to the house?"

She glanced at the time. "Yeah. I'll be right there."

Quickly, she grabs her purse and heads to the car, hoping that nothing is wrong.

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Sam is surprised when she opens her door and Ric is standing there. "What do you want?"

"Are you willing to testify against Jason at the trial?"

She rolled her eyes. "I'd rather stay out of it." At this point, if she makes a move, Jason won't be in the mood to forgive her.

"I may have too."

"Do your worst."

Ric shook his head. "Why are you loyal to him when he treats you so badly?"

"This isn't about loyalty."

"Did he threaten you?"

She sighed. "Just go."

"I could ask you that on the stand. The question is whether you'll answer honestly or not."

"Goodbye, Ric."

When the door shut, Ric chuckled. Something is going on, and he just wishes he could get her to talk. Time will tell.

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Elizabeth knocked on the door which quickly swung open.

Lucky smiled. "Hey."

"Hi."

When he backed up, she slipped past him as her guard watched from afar.

"What's going on?"

He motioned for her to sit.

"I just-I'm having a hard time with all of this."

"Lucky…"

"We've come so far. Are you seriously willing to just walk away after all we have been through?"

She swallowed thickly. "Things haven't been right between us for a long time. Sometimes, we think it's easier to just do what is comfortable, but can you say that you're truly happy?"

He thought for a moment before speaking. "I know I've put you through hell. My addiction and accusations put a lot of stress on you. We failed each other in different ways. I wouldn't have called you if I thought it wasn't fixable."

She sighed. "I just think that you can't give me what I need, and I don't think I'm giving you what you need either. I'm tired, Lucky. The kids and work take up so much time, and I don't have much to give after that."

"I know I don't help you enough. Maybe I'm just used to you doing so much and making it look like it's effortless. I shouldn't have taken you for granted."

She stood and then moved across from him and peered out the window. "I've tried to the point that I sacrificed myself. It shouldn't be that hard."

He moved closer. "You think life with him will be easier? There's a whole other layer of insanity attached to that."

She slowly turned in his direction. "I don't even know if we'll be together. Our issue was never how we felt. That was the easy part. Look, I just think we'll be happier this way. If you're honest, you'll admit you're not in love with me and haven't been for a while. You want to be my hero, but I don't need one of those. I need someone who listens and believes in me; someone who is encouraging and will back me no matter what."

"And I'm too much work?"

"I think you deserve to be adored and to be with someone who has faith in you and makes you feel appreciated. I don't think I do that for you." The truth is that Lucky is a lot of work. His ego is fragile and she's tired of coddling him. Maybe by not being forthcoming, she's not helping him, but she doesn't want to be mean.

"There's nothing I can stay to make you move back?"

"I'm sorry, but no. I'll always love you, Lucky. I'm just not in love with you anymore. "

She sadly moves past him and is surprised when he grabs her and pulls her against him, engulfing her in his arms.

"I'm sorry. I'll always love you too."

Tears sprung in his eyes as she retreated.

"What about the boys?"

"If you want to spend some time with Cam, we'll figure something out. I don't want you to feel obligated though. Take some time to think about it because I want to be consistent. If you don't think you can be, it might be better to stay away."

He nodded and then wiped a tear away before handing her the papers.

After touching his arm, she made her way to the door and then stepped outside. That was brutal and she hopes that he'll give up the fight and accept that they are finished, and this time it's for good. She got into the car and started it up. After giving it much thought, she finally decided that going with what was easy and putting aside her needs had given her nothing but heartache. If Jason can't give her what she needs, then she won't be with him either. Although, she can't see that happening. Part of the reason she loves him is because of the way he makes her feel, and how much he is supportive of her. Hopefully, they have both learned a lot and can finally just be. Jason deserves happiness too and to see that he can have something else in his life besides business that is more meaningful. First things first. They need to get him out of jail. She headed over to Diane's to drop the divorce papers off.