I don't ABC, General Hospital and Kiss the Girls or the character's therein.

16.) An Angel vs. A Snake

"So now that you're being released where do you plan on staying?" Alec asked.

"Truthfully, I have no idea. I don't really have a home. Hell, I don't even really have many friends," Elizabeth replied as she looked down, "The clothes that I'm wearing aren't even mine. Francis picked them out. Not that I mind."

"I'm renting a hotel room nearby at the Metro Court, your welcome to stay with me if you like," Alec offered.

"I might have to take you up on that offer," Elizabeth said, "It will allow us to work together to find out who is behind these abductions."

"I don't want you to take on too much," Alec said concerned.

"I won't. Look, we know that these guys are going to be coming for me. Then there's all the other people that were always going to target me," Elizabeth said, "Do you understand that being near me places you in danger?"

"Yes, I know that you have many unfortunate ties to the mafia underworld," Alec said with a small smile.

"That was actually a delicate way to phrase that," Elizabeth said with a small laugh. "There's something about me that makes me a target."

"Do you have your discharge paperwork?" Alec asked.

"Yeah, right here. Ready to go?" Elizabeth said holding it up playfully.

"Good, I'll wheel you to the car," Alec stated, "Sit down so we can get out of here without any hassle."

"Somehow, I get the feeling that you don't make a good patient, Alec."

"Terrible," the Criminologist replied.

Elizabeth let a small laugh at his honesty.

"Mrs. Morgan are you checking out?" Max Giambetti asked though it wasn't in a genuine manner. He was both her uncle and one of her father Sonny's most trusted guards. As she recalled, he hated her like everyone else.

"Yes, Mr. Giambetti," Elizabeth replied politely. He obviously wasn't aware of who she was.

"Mr. Corinthos has requested that while you heal you take up residence with him," Max said while rolling his eyes. Her polite behavior didn't fool him.

"Tell me, Mr. Giambetti, did Sonny leave Carly, or are they still happily married?" Elizabeth asked raising one sculpted eyebrow.

"They're still married, Mrs. Morgan," Max stated confused at the question posed.

"Then I won't be taking up residence anywhere that Carly will be," Elizabeth said. "When you talk to Mr. Corinthos please tell him that I appreciate his offer, but have to decline for reasons of self-preservation."

"You should consider yourself lucky that he even offered you a place to stay considering everything that you've done," Max stated clearly not in the loop.

"Perhaps, it would be prudent to not speak out of ignorance Mr. Giambetti. I don't think you're as informed as you think you are," Alec interjected disgusted at the attack on Elizabeth, "If you don't mind, Elizabeth has been through enough and I need to get her out of here. If you'll excuse us."

"Thank you, Alec. Goodbye Mr. Giambetti," Elizabeth stated as he wheeled her to the elevator. The ride on the elevator was quiet as well as the ride to Alec's classic Porsche. "Nice car, Alec. It suits you."

"Thanks, I made some money as an author," Alec stated.

"A man of many talents. I'm not at all surprised. You have kind, intellectual eyes. It's one of the first things I noticed about you. You're a thoughtful thinker," Elizabeth said as Alec locked the wheelchair and Elizabeth got up and got into his car. Alec took the wheelchair back to the entrance. When he returned Elizabeth's stomach made itself known.

"I think we need to make a stop somewhere and get something to eat," Alec said.

"You're not wrong," Elizabeth said.

"I know of a place nearby," Alec said.

At Graystone Manor…

"That was Max. Elizabeth just checked out and she turned us down flat. She said that she's not staying here as long as I'm with Carly," Sonny said he as grimaced at the fact.

"I told you she isn't going to make this easy on us. I'm going to head over to Alcazar's and see if I can't persuade her to either come here or maybe go to your old penthouse. I'll call you after I speak with her," Jason said walking toward the exit.

Sonny only nodded. He wasn't sure what to do. He wanted a relationship with Elizabeth, but he didn't know how to bridge the divide with Carly around. She was the mother of his unborn child and he also adopted Michael. His relationship with Carly had always been tumultuous to say the least, but he loved her. The worst of this was that his relationship with his wife could cost him a relationship with his daughter and grandson and that was unacceptable. If only Carly had kept her hands and thoughts to herself. He would be able to get Elizabeth on board with the protection detail he wanted to offer, or the money that was rightfully hers, or the relationship that he hoped it wasn't too late for. He needed both women to be on board with each other, but hadn't a clue on how to make that happen.

Meanwhile at Alcazar's Residence

Jason pulled up to the guarded gate. He noticed that Alcazar's mansion was dark and it was only 6 pm. The Sun was starting to go down earlier. From what he could tell the house looked empty. It was highly unlikely that everyone would be asleep. "Morgan?" The guard asked.

"I'm here to see Elizabeth and Cameron," Jason said to the guard.

"Miss Elizabeth and Master Cameron are not here, Mr. MOrgan," the guard advised.

"What do you mean they're not here?" Jason asked perplexed.

"Elizabeth hasn't been since the day she was abducted and Master Cameron left hours ago to a place of safety on Miss Elizabeth's orders. I'm only telling you because we have her explicit permission to let you know as Cameron's father," the guard advised.

"Safety where?" Jason asked.

"That is something that you'll have to ask her when and if you see her again," the guard advised.

Jason drove away completely puzzled and worried. "Where was his son taken? Where was Elizabeth now?"

He dialed Max, "Where's Elizabeth?"

"She and Dr. Winters just arrived at Kelly's," Max said.

"Okay, I'm en route. Just keep an eye on them," Jason said and then hung up the phone and drove to their location.

Meanwhile at Kelly's

"I don't know Alec. I have to be honest. I'm not sure this establishment is going to receive me," Elizabeth said.

"Let's just try it and see. You've got eat something Elizabeth," Alec said.

"We'll give it a try, but I wouldn't hold your breath," Elizabeth said as they entered. They both walked in taking a seat.

A pretty young woman walked up to them, Hello, I'm Georgie and I will be your waitress, what can I get you to drink?"

"I'll take a hot coffee, Elizabeth what about you?" Alec said to the woman sitting across from him.

"Hot chocolate with whip cream," Elizabeth said smiling at the young waitress.

"That's a coffee and hot chocolate with whip cream coming right up," Georgie said.

"Thank you," both Elizabeth and Alec said in unison offering a small smile.

After a minute, Georgie returned with both drinks, setting them down carefully. "Are you ready to order?" Georgie asked noticing that they were both perusing their menus.

"I'll have the chili," Elizabeth said with a smile.

"I'll have the number 4," Alec said.

"Both excellent choices," Georgie said with a smile. "It'll be out in a few minutes."

"Thank you, Georgie," Elizabeth said.

After a minute, the manager of the establishment walked toward the front. Elizabeth was parallel to the back of the barstools, so she didn't notice the man until he was right next to her.

"Just what in the hell are you doing here?" the man said to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth recognized the man immediately as she looked up. It was Sonny's father Mike, her paternal grandfather.

"You're not welcome here, Elizabeth," Mike said raising his voice.

"-Now wait just a minute, what has Elizabeth done?" Alec said.

"She's not welcome here. After what she's done to my family…she needs to leave," Mike said.

Elizabeth shook her head, "I'm going to take a walk near the docks. You finish up, Alec." Elizabeth walked out and took a walk to the nearby docks.

"There was no need to do what you did to that poor girl," Alec said, "She hasn't done anything to your family."

At that moment Georgie walked up with their food confused as to what was transpiring. She set the food down.

"If you don't mind Georgie, we'll take that food to go," Alec said shaking his head at Mike's uncouth behaviour.

"Sure thing sir, I'll box that up for you," Georgie said.

"Thanks," Alec said then he turned to look at Mike, "I think you'll find that you're going to regret having treated Elizabeth that way. You may want to speak to Sonny."

Georgie returned with Alec's and Elizabeth's food and he paid. He walked toward the docks and found Elizabeth. She was standing with her arms crossed and staring at the water.

"Elizabeth, are you okay?" Alec asked when he caught up to her on the docks.

Elizabeth turned her head to the side and Alec could see that she'd been crying but she swiftly wiped away her tears. "I'm fine Alec. Did you get your dinner?"

"Elizabeth, you're anything but fine," Alec said.

"Thank you, I promise that I'm alright. Believe it or not that response that I received from Mike was remarkably tame," Elizabeth said.

"You didn't deserve that," Alec said taking in the young woman's appearance.

"I know," Elizabeth said.

Back at Kelly's

"Jason," Mike said as he walked in, "You won't believe who was just here."

"Elizabeth?" Jason asked obviously aware of who was there.

"Yeah, how did you know?" Mike asked.

"Max is tailing her," Jason answered.

"Why is Max following her? I heard you two were getting divorced," Mike replied.

"Because she's family, Mike," Jason answered.

"Family?" Mike said with a disbelieving laugh, "Well, I think she took my hint that she wasn't wanted here," Mike replied.

"You didn't?" Jason said.

"Of course, with all the trouble she's caused. She needs to know that she isn't welcome."

"I was going to wait and let Sonny tell you, but given everything that's happened I think you should know so we don't have a repeat of this again. Elizabeth is Sonny's daughter. You just kicked out your granddaughter," Jason said.

"That's not possible," Mike said in bewilderment.

"It is, we have two independent DNA tests. Elizabeth is Sonny's daughter. I was hoping to catch up with her and persuade her to stay at Sonny's or somewhere safe that we could protect her more easily. Obviously, I was too late getting here," Jason said disappointed that due Mike's ignorance of the situation he missed Elizabeth. He decided to leave Kelly's and gave Max a call.

"Where is she, Max?"

"She's right around the corner with Dr. Winters at the docks," Max replied.

"Thanks," Jason said hanging up.

Jason made his way to the docks and saw Elizabeth talking to Dr. Winters. Elizabeth and he were staring out at the water. "Elizabeth perhaps we should go to the hotel?"

"You see that set of docks over there," as Elizabeth pointed to Pier 28.

"Yes," Alec said.

Jason also looked to where Elizabeth was pointing.

"Apparently, that's all I'm worth," Elizabeth said bitterly as she looked at Alec.

"Come again?" Alec asked.

"Don't you know? I was traded in marriage for those docks over there and of course the trade routes that accompany it. That's what I'm worth to people in this town. To my former family, I'm just a way to unload those docks. To my own father, I'm sure he felt like the price he paid for those docks was too high. So you see, I'm not surprised that Mike doesn't think much of me. What's the going rate for some plywood, because that's about all I'm worth?" Elizabeth said with her arms crossed.

Jason closed his eyes. He felt awful. What had been done to Elizabeth and his part left him feeling raw. He'd never felt so bad for using someone, and while he wasn't aware of Elizabeth's innocence the way she had been treated was so unfair, he didn't know how to make it right. His thoughts were interrupted by Alec's response.

"No, that's what they wanted you to believe Elizabeth. You, you're a gift Elizabeth. Never let those around you determine your value," Alec advised.

"It's so easy to believe the bad things people say about you, even if it isn't true," Elizabeth admitted.

"Come on, your chili is getting cold," Alec said.

"You mean actually got them to give me food too? I'm shocked. When I lived here a few years ago I've never got them to give me food. To be honest, I've only ever heard their food was good. I've never actually had it," Elizabeth said offering a sweet smile.

"I certainly did. Come along," Alec said.

"Where are staying?" Elizabeth asked.

"I've booked a room at the Metro Court," Alec stated.

"Oh, okay. I've never heard of it. Must be new," Elizabeth said with a small smile, "Thanks for letting me stay with you."

"Of course," Alec said as they walked to his Porsche.

Jason chose not to say anything. He would go to the Metro Court and see if he could speak with Elizabeth in a more private setting. It was then that he received a call from Diane.

"Morgan," Jason answered.

"I need you down at the police station," Diane said

"I'll be right there," Jason said hanging up and rolling his eyes. Looked like he would have to catch up with Elizabeth later.

Ten Minutes later PCPD

Diane was waiting outside the interrogation room.

"Sam is waiting for you. She wants to talk to you," Diane said.

"I'll go in see what I can do. How close are you to getting her released?"

"I'm trying to get her before a judge. Bail will set somewhere between $25-$50,000," Diane said.

"I'll post it. Sonny wants to talk to her as soon as possible," Jason said.

"I'll go see about getting her processed more quickly," Diane said as she walked to the desk sergeant's desk.

Jason stepped into interrogation.

Sam was handcuffed to the table. Her face was tear-streaked, "Jason! I knew you'd come to me."

"What made you think that I would come to you?" Jason asked.

"Jason, you can't believe the charges. They're not true. Elizabeth is lying."

"Elizabeth didn't turn you in Sam. According to Diane, they found evidence," Jason said.

"You have to believe me. I've never worked with Ric," Sam said.

"Fine," Jason said. He would let her have her way now. 'We may need her to testify against Ric. We'll see what Sonny says.' He couldn't believe how just a few days had deteriorated his feelings for Sam.

"You believe me?" Sam said.

"Sure Sam. Let's focus on getting you released," Jason said lying to the snake in front of him. All he could do was think of Elizabeth's face. The hurt she felt etched on her beautiful face.