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fantasies-fairytales-n-fics · 7 months

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Code Blue Ch.45- Pandora's Box

Summary: Lee and Jo's colorful morning turns gray. Britt's in a panic. Jo stands by her man and both work together as a team. Gone baby gone. A shocking twist is revealed as Lee opens the bloody truth. A hasty reunion takes place. Where for art thou Dr. Dave? Lee's hand is forced as a climatic cliffhanger ends the chaotic chapter.

*Chapter Warnings* language, angst, alcohol use, anxiety med side effect depictions, drug mentions, minor character death, homicide,

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Chapter characters: Lee, Josie, Britt, Jason

Salem, Massachusetts

March 21, 2023

Sunshine, the aroma of fresh brewed coffee and music playing awoke Lee as he laid in front of the fireplace without you by his side. Slipping his jeans on, he followed your singing voice to the kitchen to find you at the stove, dancing about with a spatula in your hand as a microphone and wearing only his long sleeved shirt that went down to your knees. With an incredulous smile, he leaned on the doorway and watched the most beautiful sight he had ever seen and heard.

"Under blue moon, I saw you. So soon you'll take me up in your arms. Too late to beg you or cancel it, though I know it must be the killing time, unwillingly mine. Fate. Up against your will, through the thick and thin, he will wait until you give yourself to him. In starlit nights, I saw you. So cruelly, you kissed me. Your lips, a magic world, your sky, all hung with jewels. The killing moon will come too soon."

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Your long blonde stands were showered and lightly damp, swinging about from the swaying of your hips as you stirred the scrambled eggs you were attempting to cook without assistance and two cups of coffee sat on the counter with steam swirling up into the air from their rims. Lee then began to clap with an ear to ear smile.

You spun around so fast that the spatula went spinning across the room, making Lee clap louder as he bellowed in laughter. He then grabbed you up against him and danced with you as you stood tippy toed upon his bare feet, kissing him good morning.

"Dancing and singing to Echo and the Bunnymen at 7 am huh? With scrambled eggs and coffee to boot. I can't think of a better morning with you, except it would have been much better to wake up with you in my arms." Lee purred as he Eskimo kissed your nose.

"I'm sorry baby. I couldn't sleep. Remember, I slept 12 hours yesterday? And you looked so damn peaceful and I know how exhausted you were so I thought I'd do something nice for you and get this. So far, I have not burnt the eggs because I had the best teacher in showing me how to make them. Yay me!!"

"You know, you're so damn cute, especially when you're happy and even more so when you're dancing around in my shirt. Mmmm. I'm really getting used to this."

Lee stroked your cheek as he gazed in your eyes with intense love, then he kissed your forehead and pulled you to his chest to dance with you some more. He knew he had so much to tell you but he couldn't bring himself to ruin the sweet moment, because the opening of pandora's box certainly would.

Once the song ended, you and Lee sat at the table, side by side and began to eat.

"Mmmm babe...I'm impressed. These eggs are supercalafragilisticexpealla delicious."

"Ha ha thanks. I can't even say that withOUT food in my mouth. Well, it's because I watched you make them so many times. Oh, and I would have put your grape nuts on the table too but...you're out."

"What??? no grape nuts???" Lee gasped and pretend cried with a pouty bottom lip.

You giggled. "Well, you eat like three bowls every single morning. But..."

You ran to the fridge and brought back a bowl of red crispy grapes.

"Will these suffice?" you laughed.

"It's perfect. You're...perfect."

Lee smiled, his sapphires sparkling in the sunlight's rays as he moved them about your face, then his smile faded and he lowered his head to shovel down the last of the golden goodness.

"Hey....you ok?" you asked, sensing something was bothering him.

"Yeah, yeah of course sweetheart. I just need a shower soon to help me wake up. A long hot one too to soothe my muscles after sleeping on that hard ass floor."

"Well, if you're stiff, I can help you....loosen up." you said with a sly grin.

"Ohh you, my love, are so wickedly wicked and god damn I love it....but....I really need that shower. I feel like I've been hit by a train....."

Lee's face cringed as he sighed. "Well shit... that was not exactly the right choice of words. Ughh, ok babe. I'll be back down in a bit. Thank you so much for this amazing morning and the food. I love you more than you could ever know."

Lee pressed his lips softly on yours, took a gulp of his piping coffee with complete immunity and then jogged his way up the stairs.

"I love you more!!" you shouted.

"Ha ha! Never!" he shouted back and then the bedroom door slammed shut.

With a giant smile, you got up and cleared the dishes, then decided to tidy up the rest of the place. You were getting used to it all too, for it was almost like you lived together, even kind of like you were...married. You shook your head at that thought, for you believed Lee couldn't possibly want that, not after all he had went through with Ethan and Liz. Did you even want that? Yes. Secretly...you did. He was the one. This time you knew it. You knew it because all Lee ever wanted was your smile and to shield you from all that tried to steal your happiness.

You grabbed Lee's clothes he had worn the night prior and some other articles of clothing he had tossed in random spots around the place, for he had a habit of doing that, and there were just enough for a load of laundry so you took them to the laundry room to wash them. You could still be wifey material even if you weren't his wife.

You began turning all the clothing right side out because Lee also had the habit of just tearing them off inside out and leaving them that way, then you checked the pockets for the typical things men seemed to leave in them like money, receipts, pens, kleenex, toothpicks and such but to your surprise, all you found was a folded piece of paper in the pants he wore last night. You opened it to see if it was anything important that he might want, but all that was written on it was a name. Sam Colin.

"Hmmph." you said, shrugging your shoulders and laid it upon the table by his coffee, then you went to go back to finish the laundry when a hard obnoxious pounding sounded upon the door.

"NOW who the hell is that at almost 8 in the freaking morning" you complained and then snuck a peek out the window before going to the door. "Oh. Britt??....What the?"

When you opened the door, Britt barged right in, rambling so bad as that you couldn't make out a single word she was saying, except for one sentence.

"Wait, wait slow down! What do you mean "he's" going to kill you????"

"Lock the door!!" she shouted as you stood stunned, still holding it open.

"Ok OK!! There. It's locked. Come in the kitchen and sit down. I'll make some hot tea and you can tell me what's going on."

"Skip the tea and just pour me some hard shit if you got it and I think I'll stand for now." Britt panted as she stood at the kitchen window, desperately peeking out with darting about eyes.

"It's 8 in the morni..."

"Does it look like I care???"

"Fine. Suit yourself."

You poured a shot of Lee's Jack in a mug as Britt stood shaking and watching you.

"More." she demanded through chattering teeth.

"Oh my god. Here. Take the bottle and cup and tell me what the fuck is going on already??"

"Where's Lee?"

"He's IN the shower. BRITT!! Tell me!!"

Britt guzzled the shot you poured, then dumped more of the caramel liquid fire into her cup as the bottle's neck clanked against the rim from her trembling hand.

"Josie....Liz....she's...."

"Liz? What about that bitch? What has she done now??"

"Oh...she just died, that's all."

You stood silent, staring at her for a moment, then realized from the look on Britt's terrified face that she was serious.

"Wwwwwwhat?????????" you gasped.

"She...she was brought in last night with stab wounds to the gut and was in recovery from surgery last night and then...this morning...she...she flatlined and...they couldn't revive her and...and...and...."

"Ok...slowww down. She's...she's really....dead?"

"YES!! The wicked witch is dead and she should have made a full recovery! That's what I'm saying when I say I'm next! I am certain beyond a shadow of a doubt that Cyrus finished the botched job. He was there last night and he threatened me right in front of Lee!"

"Wait...wait...so does Lee know she was attacked??"

"Well duh!! What, he didn't freaking tell you?? Of course he knows. He was there when she was brought in and basically tore me a new asshole for trying to help her!"

"No...uh I...no..he didn't...he...was all worried about me and...."

You paused. You're mind was spinning. Jason finally did it. Or...did he? It wasn't his style, knives... and he would never have left her alive.

"How do you know someone, or Cyrus even, killed her? It couldn't have just been complications from surgery??"

"Stop bleaching your hair. There's the fact that she was savagely attacked which should be the first clue and then she conveniently winds up dead hours later when she should have recovered, oh and... there are cameras in the halls and this morning before my shift was over, I went to watch them and...poof! No footage. 4 am to 5 am, all just wiped clean and who else has access to do that but....CYRUS. So...I had the required toxicology done on her. She was pumped full of fentanyl."

"Jesus...have...have you notified the police and told them all that???"

"Oh they know and attempted murder now went to flat out murder. It appears just as you said, complications, but an autopsy will soon reveal what I and the police already know. That babe of a Bloom brother showed up shortly after she was brought in because we had to report the attack."

"Luke...was there? What about Gerry?"

"Nope, just Luke. Gerry stays with Vic who's slowly improving. And Luke was questioning Lee and Angel too when he should be after Cyrus!"

"Oh my god!" you gasped. "Blaise....and...Craig..."

"What?"

"Liz's kid. Angel was watching her. I gotta go up and get Lee. He obviously don't know Liz is dead."

"I do now."

Lee stood frozen in the kitchen doorway, looking as if he had been the one stabbed in the gut with his befuddled eyes gaping at Britt, then you.

"Lee...I...you should sit down."

He unintentionally ignored you as he slowly walked over to the counter and took a large guzzle out of his whiskey bottle as he tried to process it all. This is exactly what he wanted but he thought she was going to recover and his focus then went to who actually did it? When he had met Jason, Lee had gotten the most distinct feeling that he was a shoot to kill kind of guy so why had Liz even made it to the hospital? Not to mention she wasn't shot but stabbed.

"Britt...I need to talk to Jo...alone." Lee quietly said as he stared out the window.

"Ummm....yeah so, where do I go?? I don't know how much of the conversation you heard but if you recall, I pretty much might be next? You heard Cyrus! I'm not going anywhere, no way."

"Leave the fucking room!!" he shouted, making her and you both jump.

"Britt, just go down to the basement ok??. It's nice down there and there's booze."

"Well thank you Josie, you sold me on the booze part. Fine." she sarcastically snapped and went in the direction you had pointed to.

Lee side eyed Britt as she left and then when the coast was clear, he quickly turned to face you.

"Did...did I...hear that correctly?? Liz was shot up with...fentanyl???" he asked as his brows burrowed together and his mouth pressed into a slanted smirk of confusion.

"Yeah, you did. Lee, why didn't you tell me about Liz last night?"

"Because you...were my concern and you needed me last night. You didn't need to hear that at the time. I had every intention of telling you today, after my shower. I'm sorry Jo. I honestly was not trying to hide anything."

"Hey...I know. I'm not mad. I even told you I didn't want to talk last night. I'm just trying to understand all this...I mean...Lee...I'll tell you right now...Jason didn't do this. His weapon of choice is his trusty gun and he's trained to kill with one shot. He never would have left her alive and IF he had wanted her alive for some reason, which I know he didn't...he would have just shot her in the leg or some shit. Now Ethan...he's the knife wielding guy as Orlando well knows and has plenty of motive....and....no...wait....Lee...my god tell me you and Jason didn't make good on that plan of yours to set him up????"

"What?? No! Jo, plenty of people have motive to want her gone. Don't forget Cyrus, which is why Britt is here in the first place. She's right, Cyrus pretty much threatened her last night and even offered me her job, which there's no way in hell I'm accepting that. I gotta get out of that place Jo. It's like Hell is empty and all the demons are there."

Lee's attention veered over to your vibrating phone that had been charging all night and there on the display was Luke's name.

"Speak of the devil. Luke's calling. You gave him your number??"

"Just let it ring right now. And yes, I did, that night at Landy's after all that shit happened with those bar dudes. I just felt it was better that we could reach each other about Landy or anything else important if needed. That's all Lee."

"I know...I'm sorry. My mind is just everywhere right now and I don't need more of his shit and questions."

"He actually questioned you?"

"Of course he did and he said he was going to question you too to verify my alibi for the past 24 hours leading up to when she was brought in."

"Well, let him. You were here with me....well....except...."

Your eyes drifted off in thought, instantly concerning Lee.

"Except??"

"I...I mean...you...you were...out running that morning....like for three hours but...and it only took you an hour and a half to run 10 miles for each of the other 3 days."

"Jo, I told you what happened with that coyote and I fell. I just needed to rest a bit."

"Yeah, I know...it's just that..."

"Just....what Jo?? Do you...seriously think I did this???"

"No!! No...god, I don't know what I'm thinking...it's just, you..you had a...knife with you Lee....and you..you also admitted to cutting her seatbelt."

"And because both separate incidents with Liz involved a knife, you now think I snuck off and attacked her. Jo, she wasn't brought in until almost 12 hours after my run, so what, she just wandered around town with holes in her stomach, bleeding to death?? I swear to you, on Jacob, on my dad...on US...that I did not do this, even if I made that stupid plot idea with Jason and even though I wanted her gone."

Lee's intense face, his teary eyes, his vowing words, swearing on the three things he held most dear to him, told you what you truly already knew and felt extremely guilty for even thinking otherwise, even if only for a split second. He was innocent.

"Oh my god, I know, I know, I know. I'm so sorry. Come here."

You bolted to him and hugged him so tight. "Please, forgive me for ever thinking it."

"There's nothing to forgive. How can I blame you for that Jo? If Luke knew these things, he would think the same thi.."

"He won't know. Not ever. You were with me and that's all that needs to be said. I will not let Liz drag you down with her, even in her death. It was either Ethan or Cyrus, or both...it had to be. Or god...even Craig, although, no, scratch that. I don't see it being his style either. He's too much like Jason."

"What did I ever do to deserve you? Because I...I don't. You would...lie...to protect me?"

"It's not a lie really. You were here Lee. But even so, yes. I would lie through my teeth for you to keep you safe."

"As I would for you my girl. God I just love you so damn much and...oh shit...Jo....your mom. I forgot to tell you after we got so deep in this conversation. Let me first say, she is alright."

"Alright??? Lee??"

"It's ok. It's ok, she's fine...but...she found Liz, outside your pub and that Spinelli guy was there too. They brought Liz in."

"OH MY GOD, Lee! Now THAT you should have told me."

"No. Because then I would have had to tell you all of this. Your mom was shaken up but she was good when Spinelli took her home and I believe he stayed with her. I told your mom that I would tell you everything and she agreed that would be best. I promise you baby, she's alright. I took care of her."

"Uggghhh! Ok...ok...I'll call her in awhile. Right now though...Lee, what are we going to do about Britt?? She could be in danger. I mean, if Cyrus did this, well...that means he sent men into his own hospital to finish the job so he's not exactly worried about being discreet."

"Yeah, you got a point and the last place she should be is here. I'll tell you what needs to be done. You need to get Jason over here. He can protect Britt. She needs to know he's alive whether he wants her to or not."

You stepped back out of his arms for a minute and pondered the thought, coming to the conclusion that Lee was right.

"Ok. Yes. Plus, we need his input on all of this. And...what about Craig? I really should tell him that Angel has Blaise, especially now. I don't even know if he knows Liz is gone unless Jason has told him since Spinelli knows. Ok...let me text Jason first."

"Don't tell him Britt is here or he won't come." Lee added.

"Yes, I know. And let's pray that he is so overwhelmed and happy to see her that he won't be pissed as fuck at me."

You took in a deep breath and began typing with no codes, but still kept it short, simple and specific.

"Lake house. Now."

"Ok...it's done." you said as you trembled. "Now...lets listen to Luke's voicemail to know what we're exactly dealing with."

You put your phone on speaker and stood right beside Lee.

"Josie. I need to speak with you regarding Elizabeth Webber and also if you possibly know the whereabouts of her daughter whom Angel Smart reported missing this morning when she returned home from her shift. Call me asap."

You dropped the phone as your hands flew to cover your gasping mouth.

"Oh god, oh god, oh god!!! Lee!! Blaise is gone!"

"Calm down, calm down. Maybe Craig has her???"

"Oh...I suuuure hope you're right!! Let me call him."

It rang and rang until it went to voicemail and in a panic, you hung up.

"Lee, I can't..I can't just leave some message about this because what if...god what if he doesn't have her??? What if Ethan does???"

"Well if Craig is anything like Jason, which according to you, I'm gathering he is, Ethan will be a dead man."

"Yeah...you got that right. If I didn't know Craig was Jason's best friend, I would swear they were brothers because they're so much alike. Ok...I'm just going to text something...I don't know, simple? God, there's nothing simple ABOUT this. What do I say???? That I'm the fucking reason his daughter is missing??"

"What?? How so?? Jo, no you're not!"

"Lee, YES, I am. I knew Blaise was there with Angel almost a week ago!! I should have told him then."

"Well he certainly kept shit from you, like... that your brother was alive."

"Lee! That's not the same. This is his child, at least to him she is, which you of all people should understand that. If I would have told him, he would have went and got her. How stupid could I have been, all selfishly wrapped up in my own shit."

"Ok, stop baby. You need to breathe. Craig surely must know about Liz by now and I'm willing to bet he went and snatched his own kid, which I mean, he has every right to have her now, being's he's her only known parent, right? Ethan has no legal rights to her without a DNA test and court documentation, so if he has her, it's kidnapping. At least you would think so. Jo, you're just going to have to ask Craig straight up."

"Ok! Arrrgh......here goes nothing."

Once more, your thumbs typed away in a frenzy.

"Hey Craig. Have you heard about Liz? Please tell me you have Blaise?"

"There. Now we wait."

"How long do you think it will take your brother to show up? Will he even come?"

"Well, considering I said now, he knows that's exactly what it means. So yeah, he'll come. Shouldn't be long but I guarantee you, he won't use the front door. I'm going to go get dressed and call my mom. Will you go check on Britt before she drinks herself into a stupor?"

Lee gave you a deep kiss and then did what you asked of him, with the paper on the table going unnoticed and still forgotten about as he walked by.

On his way downstairs, which passed by the inside garage entrance, Lee did a double take and stopped to see the door ajar. With caution, he slowly pushed it open and turned on the light. All appeared normal, your Monte Carlo and his Dodge Dart parked side by side, except for one thing he found himself cocking his head at. Lee was certain he backed his car in and it was now turned the other way. Upon inspection of and around his car, he found water puddles underneath and his keys in the ignition that he had given you when he left in his truck for the hospital on the rainy day prior....and on those keys, there appeared to be dried blood.

Gasping, he yanked them out of the ignition and got out to further check over the car. The backseat was normal so he then found himself standing at the trunk, staring at it as if he were afraid to open it. With a trembling hand, Lee placed the key in the lock and raised the lid with great hesitation.

To his relief, it was empty but he quickly noticed the carpeted floor board that held the spare tire and jack beneath, was also slightly ajar. He popped it open to find everything in place until he noticed a shopping bag stuffed in the back corner. Tilting his head with furrowed brows of wonder, he pulled the tightly bound plastic bag out and pried it open.

"Jesus!" he gasped, almost hitting his head on the trunk lid when he found a knife covered in blood, his knife that he had with him on his morning runs, and clothes, also covered in blood...your clothes. The same sweater and jeans you had on the morning he left you to go in for his shift and thinking back, he recalled you later had a blue tee shirt and leggings on when he got home that night.

Lee's body filled with adrenaline, faster than a helium balloon as he shoved the knife into his pocket and sprinted out to the boat house, immediately throwing the entire bag into the wood burner, along with a couple of small logs and lit it up, then in his continued panic, he took the knife and keys to the sink and began scrubbing them with scalding water and soap, burning himself in the process. Multiple vulgarities escaped his lips, but he endured the pain for you. As he watched the blood swirl down the drain, his mind raced in denial over the paradox that you were the one who attacked Liz, but Lee could hardly deny the evidence before his own eyes.

How was it even possible? You acted just as shocked as he was to learn about Liz and even if only for a split second, you had thought he did it. But was it an act? Did you not remember? Lee recalled that you took your anxiety meds for the first time in ages and to add fuel to the fire, you took them with an entire bottle of wine and according to you, you had slept all day and night, but did you? Did you have some kind of reaction to the wicked mixture that ignited you to not only do something so malevolent, but to also have a blackout?

Once being a psychiatrist before he furthered his career in neurology, Lee knew that certain anxiety medications had a high risk of dangerous blackouts and it was even greater when consumed with alcohol. Was the real reason that you refused to take your meds only because you said you didn't like how they made you feel or was it something more that you hadn't shared with him? Either way, Lee believed you clearly had some brief bout of psychosis, a break in reality and he was bound and determined to protect you just as you you similarly said you would do for him only minutes ago. For better or for worse, for richer or for poorer and in sickness and in health, all the days of your life, forever, Lee vowed this.

By the time he was finished and satisfied with the brand new mirror like shine on the metal objects, Lee glanced over to see the fire was ablaze, the bag disintegrated and the clothes were almost a pile of ash....and then you walked in.

Lee left the items in the sink and quickly covered them with a rag, then forced a pearly white smile.

"Hey...baby..I..."

"Lee? What are you doing out here?? And cussing like a sailor to boot? I could hear you clear up in the driveway. You...were supposed to go check on Britt but she said she hadn't seen you. I saw and smelled the smoke and, well, here you are."

"Oh, sorry, yeah, you know my potty mouth... I umm, I burned my hand...the water...it was too hot."

"Ok yes? But...why are you out here with an apron on and...why is the fire going?"

Lee couldn't do it. He couldn't tell you what he knew, not now anyways. Too much was happening and he still couldn't quite wrap his own head around it all, so how were you supposed to? He knew he then had to do what he swore he would never do. Lie. Luckily for him though, he didn't have to be creatively spontaneous because his blank mind would have busted him. Instead, Lee was saved by Britt's scream that sent you both running inside....through the garage in which Lee noticed you didn't even give one glance at his car.

You both headed down the spiral staircase and halted at the bottom when you saw Jason and Britt standing face to face, already in conversation.

""I'm sorry." Britt reeled with a very perplexed face. "You're standing in front of me alive right now?"

"I never meant for you to find out this way."

"Ok, or at all? How could you not tell me???"

"And you two! Judging by your silence and calmness, you both knew Jason was not dead and here I am of ALL people, the last to fucking know?? Do you know what it was like to see Jason walking out of the damn stone wall over there, thinking I had inherited Dave's terrifying gift of seeing ghosts???? How long have you known???" Britt raged at you and Lee, consumed of shock and pain as she began to sob.

Jason's heart broke to see the woman he loved in such distress and knowing he was the cause of it, although he blamed you for the premature reveal.

"What??" you asked in disbelief as you walked over to the corner by the fireplace to see the faint grooved outline of a hidden door in the stone blocks.

"It was here when I moved in Jo. It runs out into the old underground tunnels." Lee explained.

"So anyone can just walk in here??" you then asked in panic.

"Not if they don't know where the entrance is like I did." Jason answered. "I know all the tunnels. Been using them for years. Spinelli is the one who figured out that there was one leading here. He has all kinds of old blueprints and I knew what to look for and where. It's not that simple Jo."

"Wow, so I could have just used that instead of slopping through the mud and mosquitos from yesterday's downpour. Great to know!" Britt joked and wiped her tears away.

Jason reached out to Britt's hand, but she smacked it way. "DON'T you touch me right now because as much as I'm over the moon with happiness that you're alive, the feeling of wanting to sock you into next week is MUCH stronger."

"If it's any consolation, I had the same reaction when I saw him and he was served a well deserved dose of bitch slap. I've only known a few weeks Britt, and then I told Lee shortly after."

"Let me get this straight. You told LEE and not ME???"

Jason angrily pointed at you. "You and I are going to talk later. You set me up."

"Ohhh damn right I did and WE are going to talk now Jay. You can be pissed all you want but you're the one who caused this whole damn mess and put everyone who loves you through hell. You can bet your ass Mom will knock you into next MONTH when she finds out. So get off your high horse because we have bigger problems right now."

"Yeah, about Liz. I know. Spinelli informed me."

"And did you know she died this morning???"

"What? No. I hadn't..."

"Well, I should say she was finished off to be more accurate and we suspect it was Cyrus's doing which is why Lee and I made the decision that it was time Britt knew you were alive. Cyrus threatened her Jason. That's why she is here, afraid to be alone."

"He threatened you???" Jason reeled at a shaking speechless Britt.

Lee stepped forward to answer for her. "He did. I was there. He told her to be careful so she didn't wind up like Liz, playing it off that he meant losing her job and just before that, he offered me her position, right in front of her, which clearly backs that threat up."

You then came up beside Lee. "Jason...I know it was your plan to handle Liz but I also know someone else beat you to it. The stabbing...I don't feel that part was Cyrus but he saw a window of opportunity to finish it though. And can we not also forget Luke Sr.?? The guy is sick as they come and I wouldn't doubt he makes Ethan do all his dirty work. Jason, I told you Lee saw him with Ethan at the hospital. Why?? and he saw Ethan arguing with Liz and that same day is when I heard Angel and Liz talking about how Ethan knew he was Blaise's bio daddy."

Lee was having a very difficult time listening to your theories of who did it and it only confirmed his own theory even more that you did not remember.

"Yeah. I agree. Poisoning is Cyrus's sick style. My bet's on Ethan and or daddy...possibly even Johnny with the stabbing." Jason concurred.

"Speaking of Blaise...Jason...she is missing. Lee's neighbor Angel was watching her for Liz and I was just told that Angel reported her missing this morning when she got home from her shift and... I can't get ahold of Craig to see if he has her." you explained as you checked your phone again that still had no reply from your artistic mobster landlord.

"Umm yeah...Craig was with me at Sonny's when you texted me. He knows Liz was attacked and he does not have Blaise. Needless to say, he's on a war path looking for Ethan who is suddenly and conveniently M.I.A.."

"Oh my god...noooo."

Your hands clutched your chest as you began to feel like it would implode, but Lee's arm curled around you, instantly diminishing your anxiety.

"It's...it's all my fault Jason...I knew Blaise was there days ago, the night we met you at the train bridge, remember I told you Liz dropped her off there?? and I didn't tell Craig because I was so wrapped up in everything else. You even said it was fine, that Craig would get Blaise back and that Ethan would never get her and now look! Blaise was still there all that time after and I didn't know or even think about it. I should have told him on day one...and..and apparently you didn't tell him either??"

"No, I didn't. Like you, my mind was elsewhere and it was Craig's business to handle. When I found out about Liz, I then told Craig where Blaise was, but he got there too late. The police were there and he spoke with one of them, informing them that he was her father and who he suspected to have her, so I would assume they're looking for Ethan."

"God, we both should have told him Jason. He's your best friend and he's going to think I did it intentionally. You...you didn't tell him...how...you knew where Blaise was, did you?"

"No, of course not, but he will soon ask when he has time to think straight."

"Oh wow! This is just great, listening to ya'll talk about your secret little meetings and your secret little secrets that's literally frying my brain because you're all over the place and all the while, for two months, clueless little me still grieved you." Britt snarked as she sat down quite exasperated.

"And lets not forget I'm a potential target now or did that slip ya'lls minds while you were off in Lizzie's looney land of horror. I could have been snatched right up that fireplace by Satan Cyrus aka Krampus himself and ya'll would still be too wrapped up in all this nonsense to notice. I can't even go home or back to work and did you know I ditched my car at the bar two miles down the road and then trekked through the woods for the rest of the way?? Look at my knees. My 100 dollar designer jeans are ruined!"

"How many drinks did you have at the bar Britt? Probably why you fell." Lee sarcastically jested. "You're the one who said that if Cyrus wants you dead, you're dead and yet here you are, alive and clearly not well, being a drama queen as usual and making everything about you. If you're in danger, why the hell did you come here and put us in danger too???"

"Ok Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, who just defended me not even five minutes ago in agreement about Cyrus's threat! I had nowhere else to go! I don't know where my brother is and Josie's the only person I have."

"I wasn't defending you, I was simply telling Jason what he said, which honestly, threat or not, I think Cyrus was just trying to get a rise out of you which you were reeled right in, hook line and sinker. Why would he even want you dead?"

"You don't know him like Jason and I do so shut your yapping pie hole Lee! Did you seriously think I was going to take his words as some joke????? Anyone that's team Jason is in danger, including Josie."

"And yet, you came here where she is! Cyrus wanted to scare you off and that way, if you don't go back to work, he has just cause to fire you. If you stay, you can keep tabs on him since you work more closely with him than anyone else there and also stay in the loop on anything new that may come up about Liz's grim reaper whom she was handed to on a silver platter...which..by the way...you were there all night too and it's no secret that you hated her just as much as the next person."

"Are you seriously insinuating that IIIIIII did it Lee???? When you're the one who tried to stop me from treating her????? and let's not forget Orlando was there too! Maybe he was helping his best friend, YOU, out??!"

"Ok, STOP. BOTH of you!" you shouted. "This isn't helping. Britt...I am soooo sorry that I didn't tell you alright?? I couldn't and you KNOW that and you know WHY. If the situation were reversed and you had found out Jason was alive instead of me and he told you not to tell me because it would put me in danger, would you have???"

"Well.....no, I guess not...but..."

"But nothing. We don't know if Cyrus knows Jason is alive. We don't know if Liz told anyone else besides ANGEL or if Angel ran her mouth either. Jason was trying to protect you so try to give him a damn break, sooner than later, unlike I did so we can all figure out what to do now."

"Well obviously I can't stay HERE, so I guess it's where now Jason?? Sonny's??"

"Britt, you know you can't go there."

"Ohhh that's right. God forbid I step on Carly's toes, even if staying there makes the most sense since the fortress is heavily guarded and has it's own damn armory! Probably tunnels too!!"

"Britt. Listen to me. It's the first place Cyrus would have his men look, IF he's even after you. He's already having Sonny watched as it is. Lee could be right. He may just be toying with you to get you to resign or fired, or if he knows I'm alive which it's best to assume he does, then he's using you to get you to run to me and draw me out because he knows you're my weakness, which is exactly why you have to stay away from me right now. You're better off here, if Lee allows it that is, while I try to work around the monkey wrench that someone threw into my plans. I still have to handle Ethan who's now hiding and if he has Blaise, it won't be that simple of a task, and then there's Johnny and Cyrus too. Sonny, Craig and I are working on a revised plan. And if you're relationship with Lee at the hospital is anything like what I just listened to, then Cyrus wouldn't think to look for you here."

"No!! I thought you were dead Jason!! And now you're here and you just want to leave me again??? If I can't stay here, where the fuck am I supposed to go??? Let me tell you a little ditty about mine and Lee's relationshippppp." Britt scoffed, using her fingers to make the quotation gesture as she stressed the word relationship with extra emphasis on the P. "I had that D once. Yep. It might have been over a decade ago but I did!"

"What???" Jason snapped as yours and Lee's mouths dropped open.

"Britt!!!" you shouted. "That's enough!! You're just trying to hurt Jason because he hurt you and it seems you succeeded. I get it but don't bring my boyfriend's cock into it!! Are we clear???"

"Crystal." Britt sniped with an eye roll.

"I need you to listen to me Britt." Jason said as he became gravely serious.

Britt did just that. Although reluctantly, she looked Jason right in his ocean blue eyes as he explained something.

"Cyrus's men were sent by him to his own hospital to take care of Liz. That's how bad he wanted her gone. Do you know how risky that is? So please, regardless of what Lee said, don't go back there. Stay here and stay safe and give me enough time...to end this."

"Time. You've been gone two months and Cyrus still lives and breaths. You do know he still wants you dead Jason which is why you ended up that way to begin with...to the world anyways and...to me... and...by some miracle...I have you back and you expect me to just sit in this dungeon like basement all alone, wondering if I'll ever see you again. Do you even care about what I went through???" Britt sobbed once more.

Jason reached for her hand again and this time she let him take it.

"Sonny has well hidden safe houses all over the state and even out of the country if needed. Let me situate things. Stay here. I promise I'm coming back for you."

His words struck her soul and she found herself in Jason's arms, kissing him deeply.

"Lee." you whispered. "Come on. Let's give them a minute."

You and Lee quietly crept up the winding stairs and headed back into the kitchen with Lee planting his hands on the counter and dropping his head with a heavy sigh.

"Hey, come here. It's gonna be ok."

You wrapped your arms up around Lee's neck and squeezed him so tight.

Lee bent down and burrowed his face into your hair, desperately breathing you in and then exhaling deeply as he returned the firm embrace.

"No, it's not. How did everything get so fucked up Jo?? I don't want her here. She puts us in danger and my priority is you. It will always be you. If that makes me heartless, so be it. I don't want her anywhere around you until it's finished, like Jason said. If Sonny has safe houses, then they need to go there and you and I Jo....you and I need to talk about..."

"Don't worry your pretty little head Lee. I will leave tomorrow if it's ok that Jason and I could at least stay tonight to figure things out and have some peace and quiet and long overdue alone time?" Britt asked in a defeated but yet still sarcastic tone as she and Jason came right up after them.

Lee released you, put his hands on his hips and shook his head. "I don't like this Jo."

"Lee, neither do I, but...if Jason's here at least for tonight, I have added protection and will be ok while you're at work today."

Lee shook his head once more, but vigorouly.

"Oh HELL No, no no no. I'm not going?? No way I'm leaving you here now. Not after all this. I won't be able to concentrate. Not happening. End of story. They'll just have to deal with it or Cyrus can fire me which at this point, I would be quite thrilled with."

"We know that won't happen since he seems to strangely like you and wants you to take my job. I on the other hand have to go back tomorrow for my next shift. I'm still the chief of staff Jason. Now that I've had time to calm down and think, I'm not going to let Cyrus run me out of everything I worked so hard for, all because he holds it against me that I was involved with you. I can do what Lee suggested and discreetly watch Cyrus. And I'm not running off to one of Sonny's secluded safe houses either. I'll go insane." Britt said as she sat down at the table, her hand merely inches from the seemingly invisible mystery note Spinelli handed Lee.

"Safety over sanity seems reasonable right now. But alright. I won't force you to do anything you don't want to do. What about Liesl Britt?"

Dr. Liesl Obrecht, the former chief of staff at Salem Hospital, was a piercing blue eyed Swiss German, as fierce as they came and deadly as a cobra's strike, especially when it pertained to the safety of her three children Britta and the late Detective Nathan West, both fathered by the deceased international terrorist, Cesar Faison and then her other son Dr. David Conrad who carried the paternal side of notorious Cassadine blood.

"You want me to stay with my overbearing mother?? You can't be serious Jason. I don't want her involved. She'll only make things worse, if that's even possible."

"But you'll involve Jo and me when it has nothing to do with us???" Lee scoffed. "Jo don't need this shit Britt. She just got out of the hospital remember?? No stress per your orders! And yet you hand deliver it to her. Her and I have enough on our plates without Cyrus being the main course. You're Jason's problem, not ours."

"Right, so that's the real reason you brought him here, to get rid of me."

"YES!! Yes it is! Are you sorry that we did?? Because I sure the hell am not! This shit's getting out of hand and I'm this close to blowing a fucking gasket. Jason doesn't appreciate you being in danger and well, Imagine this. I don't appreciate Jo being in it! You should have went to your mom or tracked down your brother!" Lee snapped and began to pace with his hands clasped over the back of his head as he blew out a jet powered breath....then his phone rang.

"WHAT?!" he shouted as he froze and answered it without even checking to see who it was.

"Oh...Lando. Sorry man. What's up? You're joking right?" Lee said and then heavily scoffed. "Ok. Thanks for telling me. Man, don't let him get under your skin with this new power trip of authority he's on. Yeah, I know. Yeah....uh huh...yeah we're good here. Yeah, Jo told me about it but no, we don't know where he is. No...I won't be back for a few days. I already had tomorrow scheduled off for dad's one month passing which I have plans for. Yeah, as far as I know I'll be back on Thursday. Yeah, thanks Banando. It means a lot. Yep, talk later."

"Lee? Is Landy ok?"

"Yeah baby. I guess copshop Luke felt the need to question him too about Liz's death."

"Well it is protocol Lee. Orlando was on shift. Everyone will be questioned that worked that night." Britt relayed.

"Well what about Dave who wasn't there?? Orlando said Luke's looking for him since he was told by...wait for it...Angel, that Dave and Liz were dating. And does that mean Cyrus was interrogated too???"

"Of course he will, but being the slimy snake he is, he'll slither right through it with flying colors. And as far as Dave, he only went out with her one fucking time until he was scolded for it by Josie." Britt said, looking at you.

"I am seriously going to rip that tainted halo off that bitch's head!" you reeled.

"No need Jo. I already sent Angel on her way last night with her wings between her legs." Lee chuckled.

"Yeah well, now it's my turn. Seriously?? Was she trying to imply Dave could have attacked Liz or I don't now, snuck in and finished her off?? What possible motive could he EVER have??? And not to mention, it takes a LOT to get a rise out of him. He doesn't have a mean bone in his body which makes it hard to believe, considering who his parents are."

"Yeah...I think Angel will be the next to be shit canned. I'll find a plausible reason." Britt adamantly vowed.

"How about the fact she's fucking Mr. Carpenter and is the one who told him all of Lee's and our business." you informed to a now bewildered Britt.

"As interesting as that is to know, she can screw whomever she wants off duty. I mean, it's not like he was her patient."

"Ok look. She's a shitty person...but she has a kid to raise and I happen to be very close to him, which now, I probably won't be able to see him anymore but...I still want what's best for Dash. He don't have the support of a father so can you please not fire her?" Lee kindly asked Britt.

"Oh my, what is this? Is that the sound of a human heartbeat I hear?" Britt jested with a gasp, putting her hand up to her ear. "And the grinch's small heart grew three sizes that day." she then mocked in a deep voice.

"Hey. Miss sanctimonious. Do you ever wonder how you got the moniker Britch??? Here's your sign." Lee snarked.

"Ok! While you two refuse to put the kiddie claws away, I am going to try and call Dave again and then Gerry about this Luke issue because I don't think he can be objective with this case."

You walked into the other room as Jason then chimed in, being the realist that he was.

"Well, she's wasting her breath on bringing in big guns Butler because he was Jo's fiance' and it didn't stop him from trying to take me down. Our brother Bo was the same way when he was Gerry's partner and then there's Sonny's son, Dante, who's on the force as well. It's all one huge conflict of interest but at the end of the day, they all have a job to do."

Lee glanced in at you, pacing about nervously with the phone to your ear while you chewed at your thumbnail. He felt guilty because he knew he wasn't helping matters by bickering with Britt, but the irritating woman pushed every damn button he had. For you though, Lee attempted to dial things down a notch.

"Hey. Jason. Look man. I'm not trying to a dick with ears here, to you or even to you Britt, but I'll do whatever is necessary to keep Jo safe, and I mean absolutely anything, to ensure that. So, with that said, I do apologize for being rude."

"Rude. Is that what you call being an asshole? Interesting. The dick with ears was pretty accurate though." Britt retorted.

"Holy...hellllll." Lee snarled as he aggressively rubbed his face with both palms. "I don't know how you do it man. Stay so calm and quiet with her."

Jason grinned, giving a soft chuckle. "Britt's a big girl and can handle her own. Same as Jo. I only intervene if they're in harm's way. Which, back to that Britt. I think you should seriously consider staying with Obrecht. After all Liesl's dealings with a terrorist like Faison and having lived to tell about it, I think she can handle Cyrus. She knows how he operates and she would give her life to protect you and your brother."

You hung up the phone and as you went to go back in the kitchen, your eyes caught sight of a book on the coffee table by the couch you had fallen asleep on while Lee was at work yesterday. You had been reading what you swore was an Edgar Allan Poe book, but the one you were now viewing was something entirely different.

Slowly, you walked over to it and as you read the title, you gasped and glided your eyes over to Lee's wall sized corner bookshelf. Upon seeing a single gap at eye level in the hard backs, a vison that you had no recollection of, flashed in your mind of you pulling the book out.

"The Cult of Dolos??" you whispered. "Why in the hell would I read something like that?"

You knew what is was though. In Greek mythology, Dolos was the spirit of trickery, a master at cunning deception, craftiness, treachery and guile. He was also a liar, which what demon wasn't?

"Jesus, Jo. No more pills and booze." you told yourself, gaffing it off and then went back to join the others.

"Welp, neither would answer. I know Gerry has his hands full with Victor but I'm starting to get worried about Dave. I know he was upset with me but...this is not like him and you know it Britt. Jason, can you get some of Sonny's guys out to look for him??? Please..." you pleaded. "What if....god, what if Cyrus did something??? To send Britt a message?? I mean, he don't have to hurt Britt to hurt Britt if you know what I mean."

"Ok slow down Josie. Why would Cyrus take my brother??" Britt asked, now extremely concerned.

Jason rubbed his hand over the back of his neck and stared straight into Britt's eyes. "He could use him to get you to give me up."

"What?? So you...think Cyrus DOES know you're alive?"

"I mean...it's Cyrus. He has a way of finding things out no matter how hard you hide something." Jason explained due to knowing the kingpin better than most.

Jason's words had Lee's mind wandering back to why Cyrus had a sudden interest in him and it also stirred his thoughts up about how he was supposed to be confessing his past to you at that time, but thanks to Britt putting a huge damper on that, he once again had to wait.

"But let's not jump the gun here." Jason continued. "Britt, you said Dave was upset with Jo about Liz? I didn't know him all that well and I know he didn't care for me much but I do know how much he cares for you and Jo. Maybe the guy just needed some space over it all and he'll come around when he's ready to."

"Seriously Jason. That's what I mean though. He loves us both deeply so he wouldn't just drop off the face of the planet! Can you just have your guys look around?? Dave put in for a week's vacation last Monday after his shift, the day of Lee's hearing and it's been 8 days now with no word from him. Not even to our mother."

"When's he due back at the hospital?"

"Tomorrow afternoon."

"Alright. If you haven't heard from him by then and if he doesn't show up, I will look into it. Right now...I have to put all my focus and energy on Cyrus. He's the main threat. In the morning, I think it's best you go to your mom's for now."

"Or now is even better. I'll even drive you to your car." Lee blatantly offered as he went to pull out his keys and then remembered they were still in the wash bin out in the boat house.

"You know what. Fine. Can you at least wait until it's dark out Lee?"

"You mean when all the vampires come out? Suit yourself."

"Hilarious. Well, I guess I should call my moth..."

Britt froze when her eyes finally caught sight of the paper on the table. Slowly, she slid it over to her and leered down at it, then whipped her head up to Lee.

"WHY is there a piece of paper here with one of my psychotic half brother's alias's on it???"

"What are you talking about?" Lee sharply asked and walked over to her.

"This?? Sam Colin...born Heinrich Faison but better known as Peter August???"

"W...what???" you gasped, knowing exactly who Peter was but had never heard the name Sam Colin.

Lee only knew about Peter because you had told him the tearful story at his farm of Cesar Faison's crazy son who had been infatuated with you once upon a time and even though it was an accident, he was the reason you had been shot and now couldn't bear children. You blamed yourself though, for even following Gerry that night and it still blew your mind that Lee had been on the hospital floor below you when it all went down all those years ago.

Peter was also the entire reason Britt's brother Nathan was shot and killed in the line of duty by Faison as you helplessly watched. But now...Peter was wasting away in the prison where Cyrus once was and still should have been. Lee also recalled mentioning to you at that time that the name Faison sounded familiar to him.

Lee ripped the paper from Britt's hand and stared at the name with gaping eyes. The name Lee himself used once upon a time on a stint with Luke, who gave it to him, but Lee had no idea then, that Sam Colin and Peter August were one in the same, for Luke was never a forthcoming guy on all the details of a mission.

"Where did this come from??" Lee desperately asked as he turned to you.

"I...it...I was..doing some laundry and...and it was in your pants pocket, so I...laid it there in...in case it was...important. Lee....why...do you have that??"

Lee felt as if he were going to pass out from the echoing pulses in his head due to his heart beating so hard. Spinelli gave him that and he had never read it because he had forgotten all about it. How? How did he know??

"Lee?? Hey...what's going on??" you frantically asked, quickly grabbing his waist as he stumbled back against the counter, beginning to breathe heavily.

"Lee man. You alright? Come with me for a minute. Lets get some air." Jason insisted with a look in his eyes that told Lee he knew what it was.

"What? Jason why do you..."

"Jo...just trust me alright. Let me talk to him."

'"O..o..ok??"

Lee slowly walked out to the back deck in a somewhat zombified state as Jason closely followed with his hand on Lee's shoulder for support. Once the doors were closed, Lee softly spoke.

"You...you know...don't you? Spinelli...he...it was you? You had him give me this at the hospital and I...so much happened that I completely forgot to look at it. Fuck."

"I do know and I honestly thought it could be part of the reason why I was summoned here, but when nothing was said of it, I kept quiet."

Lee turned with stunned eyes and a gaping mouth, lost in confusion as he stressed one whispering word. "How?"

@redeemer46