In My Mind

[Fanfic Archiver]

Chapter 1

Sitting on the leather couch, she heard the key enter the lock. Knowing who was about to enter, she tossed the People magazine that had been helping her pass the hours onto the coffee table and looked up. As he pushed the door open and stepped in, he smiled at the image that greeted him, it was her and she was sitting on their couch. He walked over to the desk and shrugged the worn leather jacket off, placing it on the chair to rest. He rolled his shoulders, trying to loosen up the stiffness. He had spent yet another day combing through the wreckage and debris. He had lost count of exactly how many days had pasted since the accident, but he was sure that the days had turned into weeks. When he turned around, the vision was different this time, similar, but definitely different. He sighed as he looked at her. She was certainly beautiful, small and petite, with gorgeous long chocolate locks that framed her face but the eyes, they weren't the same.



"Hey" she said, noticing the look on his face. It pained her to see the disappointment day after day. He would come home and immediately look at the couch and offer the happiest smile once he saw her sitting on it. However, somewhere between the walk from the door to the desk, the realization would hit him. The brunette sitting on the couch wasn't her.



"Come on" she whispered, standing and extending her hand. Once he accepted, she lead them up the stairs into his room. He moved around her and held the door open, allowing her to enter first.



"You shouldn't put up with this" he said coming up behind her, touching the silky strands of her hair, wrapping it around is work calloused finger before letting it spring back to it's straight form



"You helped me, I'm returning the favor" her voice was low and she fought to keep it steady. Truth was she loved him and would take being with him how ever it came about. Sure this was wrong and a normal woman would have walked out without every looking back. But she hadn't, couldn't, and wouldn't as long as he kept looking at her and touching her the way he did, even if it wasn't really her he was seeing.



"You're so beautiful" he whispered into her ear as their bodies joined together as one. Their clothes were shed in the previous moments, their foreplay never consisted of anything other than kissing, as if he was afraid she would stop him. She never took her eyes off him while they made love, even though it broke her heart that he kept his shut the entire time. Not doubt to aid with this fantasy, to help him forget about the reality of his world. She noticed a new cut on his face, right above his right eyebrow. It was somewhat fresh with dried blood hiding the scab. He no doubt got it looking through the mess of tangled metal and fallen brush looking for her tonight...again



She heard his breathing become more rapid and his thrust quicken. She ready herself for what was about to come. The one moment during their passion that almost broke her every time. One might think that after so many weeks, one little word wouldn't hurt so bad.



Jason laid spent on top of her, trying to calm his breathing. Once he was composed, he lifted himself up onto one elbow to peer at the brunette beneath him. His heart constructed when he looked into her eyes.



"I did it again" it wasn't a question but a statement. One look at her face had told him that he had said her name. He couldn't look at her and decided instead to focus on the crisp white pillow case that her hair fanned out on



"It's OK, really" the tears sprang forth but she forged on "But you know what I wish. That once, just once, you didn't close your eyes, that you didn't pretend"



"I'm sorry. I said before that you should put up with this" Jason offered no excuse, as there was none to give and she knew that.



"At least I get to be with you. You just...you just don't' know what I would give to hear you say my name...Sam...when we are making love. I'm not Elizabeth but if you need to pretend that I'm her..." her words fell short as Jason rolled off her and sat on the edge of the bed, back facing her. How did he get so far gone? How did the strongest mob enforcer along the sea board get reduced to the shell of a man he once was? He knew the answer. It was in the form of a five foot two inch brunette with the most piercing blue eyes he'd ever seen. A woman who's laugh could make him smile regardless of what kind of mood he was in. A woman who's wrath made Satin himself look weak. A woman who loved her friends and would defend them to no end. A woman who was gone. He refused to believe it though. She couldn't be dead. Not Elizabeth. Never Elizabeth. There was to much left unsaid. In his mind, he was holding out hope that she was living life somewhere, well and healthy, with no memory of herself before the accident. How many people had rolled their cars off of cliffs only to turn up alive. Hell, Carly had done it. Why couldn't Elizabeth be a living dead girl?



"I know you're not Elizabeth" he whispered, rubbing his hands down his face "I know"

[Fanfic Archiver]

Elizabeth bare feet padded quietly across the carpeted floor of her small room. The plush fibers tickling her toes with every step she took. Sitting down on the bed, she pulled her feet up to inspect her legs. She looked at the scars that remained and rubbed the muscles in her calves that still knotted up from time to time. The last of the red polish had finally chipped away leaving her toes bare. Today was the first day she had spent fully awake, aware. The medication that she had been given to help her recover had left her in hazed state, not able to walk without assistance, not able to focus clearly on objects, and not able to remember exactly how it came about that she was knocked up here. But today, for the first time, everything was clear. She could see the headlights as the car cut in front of her. She could hear the metal crashing as she rammed through the railing. She could her the thundering sound of her car rolling down the cliff before it all went black. Elizabeth sighed. Of all the horrible things that had happened to her in her short life, this was by far the worse. Closing her eyes, she pictured her son. Tears burned her eyes behind the lids. Surely he must have thought she abandoned him. What she wouldn't give to touch his soft hair one more time. To see his face. The way his eyes widen when the spoon full of applesauce came close to his mouth. The way he would kick his legs EVERY single time she tried to change his diaper. The way his giggles would make her laugh. The way he would leave her in a heart beat to go to Jason. Jason. Did he even know she was gone? Of course he did, he had to know. She pushed herself back to rest against the headboard of the bed and closed her eyes as the memories came flooding back



Flashback



"Jason" Elizabeth smiled, lifting Cameron from his stroller to allow the boy a better view



"HI" Jason smiled, more so at the little bundle in her arms



"You wouldn't believe how much this boy loves the water. You'd think that floating around in it for nine months would have made him sick of it" Elizabeth teased, noticing the large black duffle bag now resting against Jason's leg



Jason followed her eyes and saw the question before it was asked "I'm leaving Port Charles...now...I was just tying up some loose ends"



"OH" was all Elizabeth could say. If they hadn't ran into each other, would he have left without even saying good bye. "Is this a permanent thing? I mean, are you leaving for good?"



"No. It's just business, I just don't know how long I'll be gone" Jason tilted his head, dropping his glance once again to Cameron and extending his hand to touch the boys arm. Elizabeth knew the look, knew the tone and knew it must be dangerous. Without saying anything, she turned Cameron around and pushed him away from her body and towards Jason's.



Jason gladly accepted him, positioning him against his chest, the smell of baby powder filling his nose. "You're a big boy. I bet you give your little momma a work out on a daily basis. You keep her company....make sure she reads to you...that's important" he looked up from Cameron at Elizabeth. He saw the tears welling in her blue eyes and knew he had to make this quick. He never could stand to see her cry. "You'll get use to her singing...eventually"



Elizabeth's laugh came out as a half sob. Jason rubbed the boys back gently before giving him back to his mother. "For the record...my singing isn't that bad"



"No, it sure isn't" Jason smiled, bending down and unzipping his bag. Elizabeth watched and teetered Cameron while Jason rummaged through, finally pulling out an old brown worn book



"There's a lot of places in here that you can read to him about" Jason stood and gave Elizabeth the book. Her hands trembling as she accepted it "South America....Paris...Italy"



"Definitely Italy" Elizabeth whispered. Jason stepped forward then, wrapping his arms around them both, only briefly before letting go and grabbing his bag. The sound of his boots filled the air as her and Cameron watched him walk up the stairs.



He was almost to the top when Elizabeth said "I'll see you later", the tears starting to stain her porcelain skin



Jason stopped, turned to face them "I'll see you later" but he couldn't make his feet move to carry him away. He turned around, bounded back down the stairs. Her skin glowed under the moon light that shadowed the docks.



"It's not safe for you to be out here this late" he reached for the stroller as her and Cameron looked at him "Come on, I'll walk you home"



End of Flashback[/b]

~~*~~

The sun was beginning to rise over the calm water. The light glistened off the surface of each little rippling wave. Jason peered out of the large glass doors that over looked the harbor. Since when did he start wondering what might have happened? What might have been? When did he start looking back on life? He closed his eyes, he knew that answer. Since the night he made love to Elizabeth before walking away...again.



Flashback[/i]



"I can't believe he fell asleep on the way home. He never does that. I normally have to rock and teeter for an hour" Elizabeth smiled, grabbing the monitor off the counter to bring with her to the couch.



"I really should go" Jason said, trying to convince himself more so than her



"Oh. Yeah. I don't want to keep you. Thanks for walking me...us home"



Jason tilted his head and looked at her, saw the shimmer in her eyes she fought to keep from crying. "What's wrong Elizabeth?"



"It's nothing" she fidgeted with the monitor in hand



"You're lying to me" he stepped towards, kneeling down by the couch. She had no where to look but in his eyes. Her hands had a mind of their own, they reached up and traced his jawbone, cupping his cheek. He closed his eyes, leaning into the touch. Her hands were so soft and warm, like magic that turned him from stone to water.



"What I'm feeling is so wrong Jason" she started, causing him to open his eyes. She went to move her hand but he reached up and held it in place "I should just be happy that we are becoming friends again"



"But..." Jason asked



The tears finally broke the dam and spilled over her lashes, falling one after another down her cheeks "You don't know how much I regret pulling away from you that night in my studio. You took me away from Kelly's, took me to my studio, I told you that...." she paused, not knowing if she should even continue



"You wanted me" Jason finished for her, reaching up and using his thumb to wipe away some tears. She nodded, squeezing her eyes closed forcing a new wave of tears to flow. She took a deep breath, eyes still closed "All the times I let you leave after we kissed. All the times I was so stupid and put people above you when you really were the one I wanted. You're with Sam now, you're happy, you...you were going to have a family and here I am wishing that I could turn back time. Wishing that I would have been brave enough to seize one of the miss chances to be with you"



His breath on her ear caused her to jump. She hadn't felt him move in "You can seize this moment Elizabeth" Her eyes flew open and stared into his. He leaned in again, this time to capture her lips. She knew this was wrong, he was with another woman, but the minute his tongue traced her bottom lip, all protest left her. She was the first to make the next move, frantically trying to get his shirt over his head. Her hands roamed his bare chest, feeling his body shiver under her touch. She felt him kicking his boots off and come to rest on the couch with her.



"I don't want to be a regret Jason" Elizabeth whispered "I don't want you to hate me for this"



"I could never hate you Elizabeth" he seized her lips again and went to work on removing her clothing. She let him unbutton the blouse that covered her dainty body. She shivered has his rough hands caressed her soft skin. The thin lace bra did nothing to hide the effect he was having on her. Her hardening buds strained against the fabric, begging him for attention. Those masterful hands cupped the underside of her breast, lifting them softly, needing and massaging them with his leathery hands. She whimpered into his mouth when he....



End of Flashback



"Good morning" Sam said softly, bringing Jason back to reality. Jason cursed under his breath. He had given into the memory...again. It was playing havoc on his sanity.



"I have to go to Sonny's" he said, not looking at her as he walked out of the penthouse



Sam sighed sadly as she moved to the couch. She was no fool. She knew the minute Jason had returned from his business trip that something had happen. Something changed him. Something that changed the way he looked at her. Of course Jason being the noble man he is admitted everything. She had asked him if something happened while he was gone. He had said yes, told her that he never intended for it to happen but he had no regrets and wouldn't change things if he could have. She accepted his honestly, appreciated the fact he had enough respect for her to be forward. She was going to ask him if he wanted to her to move out or if this things that happened between him and Elizabeth was a one time fling. Two old friends giving into the moment but she never got the chance. Jason had barely gotten in the door when this whole conversation took place. Fifteen minutes into it, his cell phone with a hysterical Emily on the other end. Sam watched has Jason paled, watched has his eyes turned to ice, watched as he went into enforcer mode. That brought them to the present situation. Him spending every night searching for clues in the burnt out debris of Elizabeth's crash.



Jason didn't bother knocking as he entered Sonny's penthouse.



"Good morning Jase" Carly smiled, untangling herself from Sonny's embrace. Jason merely nodded, not bothering with pleasantries. Sonny gave Carly the look and she proceeded to make her way upstairs.



"Johnny just told me that they tracked some new movement" Jason directed his comment at Sonny, who was now standing heading towards the desk



"Yeah, that's about all we know. We have no clue who it is and that doesn't sit well with me. It could be someone waiting to make a move against the organization or worse, my family" Sonny tone was harsh as he flipped through some papers



"Do you want me to check into? Who's working on it now?"



"Johnny and Max are on surveillance. Benny is working on identity. I guess there was some rumblings about 3-4 weeks ago but nothing solid enough to make a lead out of" Sonny closed the folder and leaned against the desk



"Why weren't we made aware of this sooner? Like 3-4 weeks ago?" Jason asked upset



Sonny shrugged off his question, waving his hand over his shoulder "Probably because you had everyone searching for..." Sonny stopped himself. He knew better than to go there.



"Searching for...." Jason pressed, wanting Sonny to finish. Sonny had changed and it didn't go unnoticed by Jason. He remembered the way his best friend use to be. Sadly, he hated the man his best friend had become.



"Elizabeth" Sonny cleared his throat and quickly changed the subject back to the one at hand "The movement is out of Maracaibo, Venezuela. I'll let you know more when I do"



Jason just glared at Sonny, boring holes into him. Sonny had made it clear to Jason that he wanted Sam taken care, even after she lose the baby. Jason agreed, at that point he had nothing else in his life. He was fond of Sam. They got along well. She was one of the few woman that he had ever met that knew the difference between sex as friends and making love with someone you were in love with. She cooked, she cleaned, she could handle his life. She didn't have a problem with his friendship with Carly. She wasn't jealous or overbearing. She just wasn't Elizabeth

~~*~~

A knock on the door broke Elizabeth from her train of thought. A group of men, all dressed in suits appeared before her.



"Where am I?" she demanded



"Senorita, you are in no position to take that tone of voice with me" the heavy set man peered through his glasses, his heavy Spanish accent filling the room



"I'm in no position? I was nearly killed, kidnapped, and am now being held hostage!" she shouted



"Given what I could have done to you, you should be grateful"



Elizabeth just glared at him. It was at that point she fully realized the situation she was in. "Ah, this has something to do with Sonny Corinthos doesn't it?"



"And yet you ask more questions?" the man laughed, causing the others to join in. Elizabeth wasn't amused. She crossed her arms over her chest and awaited an answer



"But if you must know, no. It has nothing to do with Sonny Corinthos"



Elizabeth burrowed her brow. Then what in the world could they possible want with her? That question was answered with his next comment



"But it has everything to do with Mr. Morgan"



It was Elizabeth who laughed, causing a Spanish mob boss to pull his lips together in tight draw. "Do you think this is the first time that someone has used me to get to Jason Morgan? News flash! I've had a bomb in my stupid, been knocked in a crypt, and been shot at and do you know what the end result to all those situation were? The men who did those things to me ended up on the wrong side of Jason's gun"



"You are a feisty one, I like that. Don't begin singing the praises just yet of your super hero. We are not stupid men, Ms. Webber. IT was no accident taking you, the mistress, instead of the girlfriend. I was hesitant at first, yes. But it only took this to change my mind. Then I knew it was you that would bring Mr. Morgan to his knees" pulling the lapel of his suit jacket open, he retrieved a photo from the hidden inside pocket. Holding between his pudgy fingers, he smiled broadly, triumphantly at the panic stricken look that crossed Elizabeth's face



"Cameron" she voice was verily audible



"Seems Mr. Morgan has a very strong attachment to your son" Elizabeth heard him speaking but was unable to tear her eyes away from the photo. It was taken the night Jason was leaving on the docks. Cameron was in Jason's arms, his little fist clutching the lapels of his leather jacket. Jason's hand rested protectively on the little boys back. "If a man feels that kind of love for a child that was fathered by his enemy, that is a reflection of what he feels for the child's mother. You, Ms. Webber, hold Mr. Morgan's heart in those little hands of yours. A heart that I plan on putting a bullet through"

[Fanfic Archiver]

Elizabeth groaned as she rolled over in the small bed, her head pounding and the nausea level in her stomach reaching a peak point. This had been the third day in a row that she had woke up like this. She eyed the tiny bathroom. It was only a few paces away. If she hurried, she could make



The guard outside her door walked away at the sound of Elizabeth emptying her stomach. He was certain that this should be brought to the bosses attention



"Mr. Torres, sir, I thought you should be aware that Ms. Webber has been sick for the past three days"



"Sick? What do you mean?" the mob boss looked up from his glass of bourbon



"She has said nothing to any of us but for the past three mornings, I've heard her vomiting repeatedly. She doesn't touch her breakfast, picks at her lunch, but seems to be eating dinner all right"



"I can't afford for her to fall ill. Get the doctor to check on her"

~~*~~

There wasn't even a damn clock in the room for Elizabeth to watch. She was sure that two, maybe three hours had past since she had been able to emerge from the bathroom. She fought off the thoughts that crept into her mind. The thoughts that told her she had experienced this before, been this sick before and it hadn't been from a flu bug



One week later



"Hey" Sam said softly, coming up to stand behind Jason has he peered out the large glass window "Thought you could use one of these"



Jason turned his head, saw her hold up a frosted beer bottle. He nodded his thanks and took the beverage, twisting the cap off and pulling a long gulp from it



"It's extra dark out there tonight. All you can see are the lights of the boats in the harbor" Sam didn't expect a response to her observation, just wanted to offer him her company. Sam was surprised when he spoke.



"Elizabeth loved looking out this window" he lifted his hand, trailing his long fingers over the glass "I'd come home and find her standing her, just staring out"



"It's a beautiful view" Sam offered when he paused



"Yeah" he took another long pull of his beer before continuing "The artist in her saw the all the colors and shapes the view had to offer but Elizabeth...she really saw was...." he paused again, not sure of what word he was looking for, what word would make sense of what his jumbled mind was trying to say



"What did Elizabeth see?" Sam pressed, placing a supportive hand on his shoulder



"Boats...yachts actually" he turned, looked at Sam briefly before turning back to the view in front of him "She wanted one, wanted to sail around the world...to Italy...but that was before"



"Before what?"



"I ruined everything. I lied, I put everything and everyone before her. The worse thing was, at the time, I thought I was doing the right thing. She use to live her. Did you know that?" he didn't wait for a reply but continued on "It wasn't for very long though. Then we went our separate ways. It took us so long just to get our friendship back"



"But you did get it back" Sam pointed out "And more"



Jason turned to her, knowing she was referring to their one night together. The one and only night that he held a piece of heaven. That night played over and over in his head, reliving every detail of their passion. "Yeah"



The loud knock broke them from their conversation. Sam turned and went to answer the door, leaving Jason by his window with his memories



"Hey Johnny" Sam greeted the larger man



"Ms. McCall" Johnny tipped his head "This was just delivered for Mr. Morgan. It checked out clean" Sam accepted the small box and thanked him, closing the door behind her



Jason had already began making his way to the desk to see what it was. The padded envelope gave way and out slid a little brown box. Jason eyed it suspiciously, lifting the envelope back up to see if a note accompanied the package. No such note existed so he tore the lid free and blinked in confusion.



"What's wrong Jason?" Sam asked, watching his face. Jason didn't answer, only lifted the little white square out of the box and stared at it. Sam stepped closer, her own head tilting in confusion "Jason, that's a pregnancy test"



"It's positive" was all Jason whispered

[Fanfic Archiver]

The leaves crunched under Jason's heavy motorcycle boots with every step. The normally white concert of the pathway was hardly visible under the browns and orange shade of leaves that peppered it. The wind blew, a gusty burst, causing yet another clutter to gently fall to the ground. The bench came into view as he turned the last corner. It was always normally taken being it was the closest to the swings. Today was no exception. He lowered himself down onto the corner of it and clasped his hands together over his knees.



"He just adores that ball" Audrey's voice was low, her attention never turning towards Jason as she slid the blue diaper over towards herself to make more room for him on the bench. Jason accepted, and moved a tad closer.



"I think he just enjoys being out side" his voice matching Audrey's as they watched Cameron sitting on the ground, amusing himself with the small green ball between his legs.



"Indeed" Audrey confirmed watching her grandson enjoying the fall morning. The two sat there in silence for a few moments, both transfixed on the chubby boy in front of the them.



"Have you heard or found any new information?" Audrey finally asked, breaking the silence. Jason had been the only one to support her decision to not have a funeral for Elizabeth. He had supported her believe that Elizabeth just couldn't be dead. But more importantly, he promised to do everything in his power to find out what happened that night Elizabeth disappeared.



That was about the time that Cameron realized Jason had joined them. He lifted his arms happily as a smile captured his face. Jason pushed himself off the bench and lifted Cameron into his arms. Sitting back down on the beach, he positioned Cameron so he was straddling his leg like a horse, gently rocking it up and down.



"Yeah" was all Jason offered at first, focusing all his attention on Cameron. Jason watched as Cameron wrapped his tiny fingers around Jason's large thumbs, gripping them as if they were reins to the imaginary horse he was riding. His hair was getting thicker, making it look darker, almost the color of Elizabeth's chocolate locks. "I'm checking out a lead"



Audrey nodded, she wanted to ask questions but thought better of it. "Oh dear" she glanced down at her watch as she stood. "I have to get to the hospital"



Jason stood as well, lifting Cameron with him. As Audrey slid the diaper bag on her shoulder, Jason walked to the stroller to place Cameron inside. As he bent down to fasten him in, he softly whispered "I promise I'm going to find your mommy"



Straightening to his full height, Audrey offered him a weak smile "Please keep my informed"



"I will Mrs. Hardy" Jason watched as they began their walk back, nodding to Marco to follow closely behind.

~~*~~

Her hand absently rubbed her flat stomach as Elizabeth looked at the stark white walls. Pregnant, she was pregnant. She just didn't understand how that was possible. The accident was so bad, the injuries she suffered, the medication they had given her no a constant basis. A baby surviving at that early stage given those circumstance was impossible. Yet, there she laid, alone in the same small room that had held her for months. The only difference was now, she really wasn't alone. She had a baby growing inside of her. A baby that her and Jason had created. A few tears spilled down her cheeks at the last thought. Jason finally had a child all his own and he didn't even know about it.



"Ms. Webber, Mr. Torres would like for you to dine with him in the main hall tonight" the door opened without even a knock and the guard wasted no time in letting her know what he wanted



Mr. Torres stood at the wet bar, swirling his bourbon in the crystal glass. He couldn't have been happier with the way things had turned out. His original plan was simply to make Jason go crazy thinking his believed lost love was dead before he killed him in a slow death. Now however, well, those plans had been scrapped at the promise of a far more appealing one



"Mr. Torres, Ms. Webber is here" the guard secured the door back behind himself after letting Elizabeth in



"Pregnancy agrees with you Ms. Webber" he bated, finally lifting the drinking to his lips



"Go to hell" she barked, moving to the table and pulling out a chair. She hoped he would choke on that damn drink



Mr. Torress simply laughed at the comment. He could see what Mr. Morgan saw in this feisty one. "Please, help yourself. The cook as out done herself tonight"



Elizabeth ignored him, choosing to focus on the food in front of her. Seeing how dinner was still the only meal she was able to eat, she planned on making it a good one, despite the company.



Pulling out his own chair, he watched as she eat, never lifting her eyes to look in his direction. "It seems that Mr. Morgan has been playing nice with your son on a regular basis"



That caught Elizabeth's attention, causing her to look up and glare at him. "I can just image what it would do to Mr. Morgan if your son went missing too"



"You bastard" Elizabeth threw the first thing she could grab at him "Don't you ever speak of hurting my child!"



"Stress isn't good for the baby" he warned, smirking as he wiped the crumbs from the bread she had thrown off his suit



"So help me if you touch my son" Elizabeth warned



"Calm yourself. I'm simply seeing a solution that may help us both out. I know you miss your son. I also know that Mr. Morgan will go mad if he lets something happen to the little bundle he has sworn to protect"



"What are you saying?" Elizabeth didn't like the direction this conversation was going in



"Simple. A fair trade if you will. I will bring you your child, here to be with you, alive and healthy" Mr. Torres laid out



"In exchange for?"



"The old saying, an eye for an eye. One child for another. I give you your child and you give me Morgan's when it's born"

[Fanfic Archiver]

Elizabeth had thought she had just been kidnaped by a run of the mill mobster. Standing in front of the mob lord now though, she knew she was wrong. This man was a monster, birthed straight from the depths of hell. He was the kind of man that Jason and Sonny refused to be. The kind mobster that would attack woman and children, only to further their purpose. The had no regard for the well being of the innocent. No compassion for those stuck in the cross fire. Elizabeth stared at Torres, her eyes narrowing.



"I suggest you think about the offer Ms. Webber. You would have your son here with you. I'm sure he must miss his mother. After all, you've been gone a while" Torres's arrogance was thick, choking the air out of the room



"You sick bastard!" Elizabeth growled "You're a monster. A sick twisted monster! You want to bring my son here? Here to what? A plain room, with no toys, no pictures on the wall. No television, no radio, not even a clock on the wall to watch. No where to walk or run or play. To be alienated from the outside world. That is no kind of life" Elizabeth paused and took a step towards him "I would rather him think I was dead than to ever let him come near you"



"You are testing my patients" Mr. Torres warned and took a deep breath to calm himself "I thought it was maternal instinct for a mother to protect her young. Do you think it wise to anger me, knowing what I'm capable of? You only think you've experienced hell but I can assure you, you have no idea of what hell is"



Elizabeth blew a loud breathe through her tight lips "We have no deal Mr. Torres and as for your threats, you need to remember two things. I will die before I let you anywhere near either of my children. And hell hath no fury like a mother's scorn"

~~*~~

"Sam" Sonny greeted her has he made his way down the landing of his stairs



"Sorry to bother you but I wanted to talk to you about Jason" Sam threaded her fingers through the belt loops of jeans as she watched Sonny head to his wet bar



"Jason. What about Jason?"



Sam blinked at his tone, momentarily surprised by it. "He needs help you know, Elizabeth's alive"



"There is no proof of that and Jason has more important things to worry about right now. We are on the brink of a mob war and I need him at one hundred percent." Sonny's voice was void of any emotion



"What about what Jason's needs?" Sam demanded



"He has you and you should be doing what you can to keep him focused because that is what keeps all of us alive"



"You are unbelievable!" Sam shouted, her anger boiling. "He protects your family but you can't even extend a helping hand to find his?"



"We are his family" Sonny yelled back



"NO! We are just his friends and at this point, your friendship is questionable. Some enemy has his family. HIS FAMILY. The woman he loves and his unborn child" The bourbon stuck in Sonny's throat, burning a fiery trail down has he listened to what Sam had just said. He winced when the last of the bourbon made it's way down. "Oh, let me guess, you didn't know that Elizabeth was pregnant?"



"When did that happen? I thought you two were together" Sonny was shocked to say the least



Sam ran her fingers through her hair and sighed "I warmed Jason bed but I always knew that it was Elizabeth he wanted. He told me they had a one night stand the day after it happened. That's when the accident happened and all hell broke lose. Jason didn't know for sure that Elizabeth was alive but he felt it. Then he got a package in the mail that contained a positive pregnancy test"



"That's your proof?" Sonny all but snorted, shaking his head and finishing off the last of his drink "If that's all we have to go on, then we have nothing!"



"HELLO! Jason knows, his instincts are right on. You know that!" taking a deep breath, Sam calmed herself "Look, just let us have a couple of guys to help out"



"I'm sorry, but there's too much going on. I don't have anyone to spare" Sonny's tone had returned to ice as he turned away from her



"Fine. You wanna be an asshole, that's just fine!" Sam stormed towards the door, only to pause when her hand closed around the knob "Think about the hole your digging for yourself. You're so worried about your mob shit that you won't help your best friend. When it comes time for you to call your number one enforcer to protect your family, he won't be able to. Because WE will be protecting his!" the heavy mahogany door slammed shut, leaving Sam to come up with another way to help Jason

~~*~~

Jason was a frustrated man. He could not find one damn lead, not one damn clue to tell him where Elizabeth was being held. Of course, no one believed she was alive still. Everyone thought he had finally lost what mind he had. After all, how much could a brain damaged thug take before cracking? Weeks....he had lost count of how many had passed since he held that little white square in his hands. The little piece of plastic that held so much hope, so much promise but it also told him how much he had to lose. Three weeks, yeah it had been three weeks. No, maybe 4. He wondered how far along Elizabeth was. How she was holding up?



His thoughts drifted back to when she had been kidnapped and locked in the crypt. She had told him that she knew he would find her and rescue her. He wondered if she was thinking the same thing now. Had she lost faith in him? It had been so long, months had passed and he was no closer to finding her than the day she was taken. The ringing of his cell phone broke his thoughts and he answered it on the second ring. "Morgan"



"You wouldn't believe what we had to do to get your number from Miss Webber"



His heart constricted in his chest, momentarily stopped beating. His knuckles whitened as his he gripped the little gadget with force. "Who the hell are you and what did you do to Elizabeth?"



Torres ignored the question, deciding to bait Jason instead "Of course I could have gotten it any other way but there wouldn't have been any fun in that. She's a hell cat. But I know you already know that. I can just image what she must be like in bed"



Jason's teeth ground together, painfully clashes as he fought for control of his emotions "Tell me what you want in order to let Elizabeth go"



"Now why on earth would I do that Mr. Morgan? Beside, I having the woman you love who just so happens to be caring your child, well, that's just to much leverage to let go"



Leverage. That's what they saw Elizabeth and his child as. Fucking leverage. "Name your price"



"Please Mr. Morgan. You should know that leverage of this magnitude has no monetary value. Plus if I let her go now, where would the fun be?"



"This isn't a fucking game" Jason yelled



"Oh, that's were your wrong. You see, I gave Miss Webber a choice and she took it upon herself to anger me and decline. I guess I'm just going to have to show her that she isn't playing with the chicos pequeños this time around"



"I swear if you hurt her"



"Do you think it wise that you should anger me as well?" Torres challenged



"Let me speak to her. That way I know she is alive" Jason held his breath, waiting for the response. The response he got caused his knees to buckle



"Jason" her voice was sad, broken, and he could tell she was crying



He fell to his knees, tears springing to his own eyes "Elizabeth. Are you OK? The baby? You have to tell me where you are"



"Get Cameron out" her voice faded as the phone was pulled away from her



"Elizabeth...Elizabeth" Jason pleaded, his voice sounding more defeated than demanding



"She can't talk anymore right now. But since she brought up her son, how about a little game, a race actually. Who can get to Cameron first?" with that the phone went dead

[Fanfic Archiver]

Jason barreled down the stairs, taking two at a time. Swinging the closet door open, he retrieve the little black metal box. Making his way over to the desk, Sam entered the penthouse, a slur of curse words spewing from her mouth. She stopped mid stride when she saw Jason taking the gun out of the box and loading it.



"What happened?" Sam asked, moving towards him



"I have to get to Cameron. They're going after him" the last bullet fell into place as he swung the chamber shut



"You talked to them?"



"Yeah, and Elizabeth. It's a game to them. A fucking game." Jason shoved the gun into the waist ban of his jeans with more force than necessary and grabbed his leather jacket.



Sam sprinted around him and grabbed her purse, pouring the contents onto the wooden coffee table. The little pistol hit the table with a loud thud and Sam grabbed it, tucking it into her jeans as well. "To bad it's a game they aren't going to win"



"You're not coming" Jason told her, already moving towards the door



"Like hell I'm not. We don't have time to argue and with me there at least you have someone to watch your back....or run with Cameron if all hell breaks lose"



Jason paused, the last of her words ringing in his ears. She could get Cameron out of there if the worse happened. "Let's go"

~~*~~

"It takes a real tough man to slap around a pregnant woman" Elizabeth goaded the brawling guard standing next to her, his hands crossed over his chest. The blood that was trickling from the cut on her lip made a path down her porcelain skin.



"¡Silencio!" Mr. Torres snapped



"Not a chance" Elizabeth muttered, tugging at her hands that were currently bound in her lap. The white rope course against her skin.



"Ms. Webber. You have no idea how much you are trying my patience at this point." Torres ran a hand over his slicked back hair "You, Carlos, take her picture and get me the prints pronto"



"I'm not really feeling photogenic right now" Elizabeth gave another tug on her confines, but it was useless



"My hatred for Mr. Morgan is your saving grace, for the time being. But do not think that once my mission is accomplished, that you and your children won't meet the same fate as your beloved hero"



"I know that Jason will save me. I've told you before, you are no different from any of the others that have tried to go through me to get to Jason. The only difference is this time, I'm a mother and I'm not going to tell you again to stop threatening my children" Elizabeth growled



"What? I'm just keep the lines of communication open. In fact, as we speak there is a little race taking place" Torres paused as Elizabeth looked at him "You see, the prize is your son, Cameron, and the winner takes all"



"You sick monster!" Elizabeth stood, pushing the wooden chair she had been sitting in over. The guard was quick to grab her by the shoulders, holding her firm "If anything happens to my son, so help me God, I don't know how but I swear I'll kill you myself!"



Torres eyed her, his patience at their breaking point. IT was clear to him that he had under estimated the faith she had in Morgan and the spunk she had within. She needed her spirit broken and he knew just how to do it "I wonder Ms. Webber, how does it feel knowing your beloved savor is still living with his girlfriend?"



When Elizabeth didn't answer him, he continued "OH, no response? I've done my research on Ms. McCall. I know she isn't the type to be making him hot home cooked meals every night. She isn't the type to do his laundry and do the grocery shopping. So, if she doesn't have a domestic role, what role would she have in his life?" He paused, placing his finger against his temple and tapping as if to ponder the thought "I'm sure though she provides services to Mr. Morgan....inside the bedroom"



Elizabeth swallowed the lump in her throat. The truth hurt but she knew it. She knew that Jason was with Sam. Hell, he was the night they had slept together. Why would that have changed? "Nobody....nobody has ever been able to understand our relationship"



"Relationship?" Torres smirked "Ms. Webber, with all do respect, I don't think one night of passion with your friend constitutes a relationship"



"Jason and I have always been more than friends. But someone like you wouldn't understand that" Elizabeth spat



"Oh, I understand...Perfectly"

~~*~~

"Stay here unless I yell" Jason instructed as they crept along the back of Audrey's house, the huge shrubs giving them coverage. Sam nodded as she watched Jason, make his way around the brick building.



The crunching of the leaves was louder in his mind than it was in reality. Something felt off, he knew it. For a man who didn't feel, he suddenly had the coldest chill engulf his body. He had to focus, this was his forte. This was what he did for a living. This was his element. Rounding the front porch, his heart stopped. The blood ran cold through his veins as his grip on the gun in his hand tightened. The front door was open. Not opened, but kicked in. The wood splintered on the frame, showing a forceful entry. He eased in, posed, gun cocked, ready to release his frustration on the one who dared touch Elizabeth's son.



He quickly scanned the living room, his expert eyes scanning the area for clues. The piercing scream from up stairs filled the living room. Jason took the stairs, moving like a cat on the prowl, toward the sound. Sam heard the scream and came barreling around to the front of the house. There was no sign of Jason anywhere in the lower portion of the house. The loud scream was now replaced by the sound of crying.



"Cameron" Sam hollered, flipping the safety off on her own gun as she moved up the stairs.



"Turn around and drop your weapon" Jason ordered, forcing his voice to come out strong. The man standing over the crib would make two of Jason, his large frame blocking Cameron from Jason's view. "NOW"



"You know man, I kinda have a problem with that. See, you're not my boss and I have orders to bring this little thing back....dead or alive" the barbarian of a man reached into the crib and lifted up Cameron. There was no compassion in the way he took Cameron from the confides of his white crib or in the way he held him under his arm.



"Last chance" Jason growled, cocking his gun and pointing it squarely at the chest of the man in front of him



"You're bluffing" the man teased, his voice taunting Jason as he took a step towards him.



"Jason.....please" the weak voice was verily about a whisper. Audrey laid, nearly unconscious, in the corner near the door. Jason was so focused on the man over the crib when he entered the room, he didn't take time to look around. "Don't"



The man laughed "Me personally, I could careless if you fire that gun. I gotta shield" the man lifted Cameron up, taunting Jason further.



Sam froze in the doorway at the sight before her. This couldn't happen. That baby could not leave this room with that man. Sam caught Audrey trying to stir in the corner and moved behind Jason to go to her.



"Some big tough guy you are" Sam baited, hoping to get the man's attention on her and Audrey instead of Jason. She knew Jason and knew he only needed a clear shot. She just hoped he'd take it considering the risk. "Get your kicks kidnapping?"



"Listen bitch" there it was, the opportunity. The man literally dropped Cameron onto the floor as gun fired filled the air.

[Fanfic Archiver]

Sam blinked, unsure if what was happening was real. Her petite hands were a mere inch away from Cameron's small frame when the large hand gripped him like a doll, heaving him upward. She lunged but her attempt to grab Cameron back only resulted in one blue sock coming off in her hand.

"It's me" John O'Brien gruffed, tucking Cameron under his arm, while extending his arm to Sam

"What the hell happened here Morgan?"

"It's a fucking game to them" Jason hissed, the graze wound on his arm stinging

"Who the fuck are you talking about?"

"The bastard that has Elizabeth" Jason finally stood, moving his arm to work out the stiffness

Johnny blinked. He didn't protest when Sam took Cameron from his arms, trying to soothe the baby who was crying from all camotion

"Shhhh...it's OK. We're going to get you safe and bring your momma home" she bounced, cradling Cameron close to her chest

"I thought..." Johnny was trying to form a logical train of thought

"We all did" Sam cut in "Elizabeth's alive and she's" she paused, looking at Jason, unsure if she should tell him about Elizabeth's pregnancy

"Pregnant" Jason moved towards Cameron, taking him out of Sam's arm "Hey little man, I'm going to keep you safe. It's all right now. I'm here"

Sam stepped aside, allowing Jason a moment with Cameron. She moved to check on Audrey as Johnny still looked on puzzled

"I have to find out where Elizabeth is. The guy that has her is using her to get to me. I've already wasted too much time"'

'"We'll get some guys on it" Johnny said

Jason shock his head no "Sonny doesn't believe me"

"Sonny has his priorities confused" Sam spoke up, kneeling next to Audrey "I've already went to him for help and he wouldn't"

Jason looked at her. He hadn't known she went to Sonny. "I've got to do this on my own"

It was Johnny's turn to shake his head "No you don't. You have us. That's all you'll need"

~~*~~

Elizabeth had her back leaning against the wall while her hands lazily rubbed her stomach. As if over night, the bump appeared and seemly grew bigger every day. In all the books she had read back when she was pregnant with Cameron, they had mentioned that second pregnancy tend to show sooner than first ones. Looking down at herself now, she knew that it was true. Back with Cam, she was a good 5 months along before her stomach had gotten what she considered to be big. There was no calendar in her room that held her hostage so she had to guess at how long she had been there. Thanks to the accident, she had no idea how long she had been unconscious for. Was it a day, a week, a month? Judging by her growing girth, she would guess she was four months along, maybe five. All she knew was that giving birth in that hell hole was not an option.

"You have to have faith baby. Daddy will come for us. I believe that with all my heart"

~~*~~

"What do you mean that the job was botched?" Torres hissed through clinched teeth. When the man on the other line started to offer an explanation, he was cut off "I don't want to hear excuses. You had a job to do and you failed. You can serve yourself as a replacement"

"Bring me Miss Webber at once" he barked to the guard standing near the large mahogany doors.

Torres's stride was long and his steps tense as he made his way to the desk. Pulling the large leather chair back, he sat himself down and began flipping through the contents of a folder. Satisfied when he found what he was looking for, he flipped his phone open and dialed. Hearing the sound of foot steps coming down the corridor, he spun around in his chair and faced the door before hitting send.

Walking into the room, Elizabeth snatched her arm away from the brawny guard and faced Torres with furious eyes "I would appreciate it if you could tell your guards to be a tad more gentle when handling a pregnant woman"

"I'm in no mood for your attitude Ms. Webber. Seems that your knight in shining armor came through for you again" he paused and stood "You see, I thought it would be fun if we had a little race"

"A race?" Elizabeth lifted an eyebrow as an uneasy feeling sank into her bones

"Yes, a race. You know like when they race those dumb dogs? They have to dangle some bait in front of them to get them to play"

"Bait" Elizabeth whispered

"Mr. Morgan is good, I'll give him that"

"Quit speaking in your fucking code and tell me what the hell your talking about!" Elizabeth yelled

"Temper and what a dirty mouth" Torres smiled then shrugged "Very well. You see the bait was your son. Had Mr. Morgan not have played so well, I would have had your little boy here with us too"

"So help me God if you hurt..."

"Silence!" Torres yelled "You are becoming a thorn in my side so there has been a change in plans"

Elizabeth watched as Torres brought his phone up and hit a button. Torres signaled to the guards to come take a hold of Elizabeth once more.

~~*~~

"There, all done" Sam finished the bandage before settling back in her seat. Jason nodded his appreciation before turning his attention back to Johnny

"Everything is done right? They made is safely?" Jason asked

"Yes sir. Latisha's sister Maria went along with them to help take care of Miss Webber's son. She will also help take care of Ms. Hardy. I called ahead and the guards at the safe house know not to let anyone in and defend the place with their lives"

Jason nodded, wishing he was able to drive his bike home instead of being confined to the SUV. He could have used the wind, blowing hard in his face as he pushed the bike to the limits to help take him mind off of things. The sound of the wind screaming in his ears, so loud that the thoughts of what Elizabeth must be going through would drown out just for a minute.

There was a silence for a few minutes as they continued their ride back to the penthouse. The large Navigator gave Jason ample room to stretch out, trying to relax his muscles. The silence was cut short by the ringing of his cell phone.

"Congratulations Mr. Morgan. It seems I under estimated you but trust me, it's not a mistake that I'm going to repeat" Torres smiled as he looked over at Elizabeth "I was just telling Miss Webber, who by the way is looking very beautiful in her current state of pregnancy, that there has been a change in plans"

"Do not speak of Elizabeth like that again" Jason growled but Torres ignored him

"Just looking at her now, her full breast filling up with the vital milk needed to nourish the child once it's welcomed into the world."

"Fucking bastard" the other occupants in the SUV stared at Jason as he growled out the words

"Her womb is stretching, swelling with the growth on your child Mr. Morgan. Let me tell you that pregnancy certainly agrees with her"

"ENOUGH!" Jason yelled

"Very well. You have 48 hours to find Ms. Webber. If you do not find her within that allowed time, your precious little Mistress will be the entertainment for my guards. But don't worry Mr. Morgan, I won't leave you out of the fun. It will be like your there thanks to the wonderful invention of speaker phone. You'll get to listen as they find ways to amuse themselves with her, you'll get to hear her voice, her scream, maybe even a moan or two"

"I will fucking kill you"

"Perhaps, but will it be too late to save your damsel in distress? Sometimes you can kill someone Mr. Morgan without taking their life. I would image that something as traumatic as Ms. Webber is about to endure would cause all sorts of problems mentally, not to mention physically and given her current state, well who knows. Simply put Mr. Morgan, Game Over" and the phone went dead