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fantasies-fairytales-n-fics · 1 year ago

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Code Blue Ch. 38- Devils

Summary: Lee and Jo are a united front once again and stronger than ever. Lee's a bundle of nerves as he faces the music. A new hospital CEO is introduced, to Britt's dismay. Jo gets a comforting visitor who's news get her all fired up. A long awaited decision has arrived. Jo is floored at the ghastly sight of someone. Sinister words are headed. Someone lurks. The cat's outta the bag. Josie runs into her past. Lee is confronted. A hospital dispute occurs with a threat. Someone unexpected has Lee's back.

*Warnings* language, angst, smut, mild violence, grief

Stories Stories Stories Masterlist

Chapter characters: Lee, Josie, Britt, Elizabeth, David, Cyrus, Orlando, Gerry, Mr. Carpenter

Salem, Massachusetts

March 13, 2023

You and Lee had spent the past five glorious days together, intentionally and happily isolated at his farm, away from all of the outside influences so you both could solely focus on each other, for it was much needed after the eight days of hell without one another. Your phones had been shut off, leaving only his landline open for emergencies and only those that needed to know were told where you were which was Orlando and Britt. Of course you called your mom and told her you'd be away on a vacation so she didn't call on the national guard, that being a pun regarding Gerry, but you didn't tell here where in case she let it slip to Megan, and Britt promised to check in on her daily.

During your blissful time together, you and Lee had spent time at the park down the road where you and he once spent a wonderful night there under the stars, swinging and sleeping on the merry-go-round like before and he finally took you hiking around the 42 acres of forestry like he had promised to do. He wasn't kidding when he said one could get lost out there.

You spent a few nights in the boat house, watching Lee work his pottery magic, rebuilding the sculpture of you that you broke and also making your own magic together upon the unbalanced work table.

Today was Monday, the day Orlando went back to being a doctor and also the day Lee would find out if he had a future as a doctor. Throughout the night, Lee had tossed and turned a lot because of it, otherwise you both had slept soundly with no bad dreams now that you had the comfort of each other's arms.

The alarm sounded at 8 am. You reached over and shut it off as Lee groaned, wrapping his arm over your stomach to pull your backside up against him. You smiled immensely at his morning wood pressing into the small of your back as his warm breath trickled into your ear.

"Good morning sunshine."

"Mmmm mornin baby. You feel ok? You didn't sleep well at all."

"I feel extremely good...if you haven't noticed." he whispered playfully as he began to kiss your neck.

Giggling, you bent your arm up around his head and turned your face to kiss him, then gave him an obvious invitation as you brought your knee forward and gently stroked the tip of his seeping cock.

"Oohhh girl, the things you do to me."

Lee clasped the base of his solid girth as you helped him guide it to your slick entrance.

"Fuuuuck..." he moaned as he slid into you, filling you up with one long push.

The squeaking of the bed filled the room as he rocked against your ass while simultaneously teasing your aching bud in circles with his middle finger and nipping your shoulder with his teeth. This was one position you could honestly say you had never done before and it was driving your core insane, until he did something else that sent it spinning.

Lee placed his hand under your knee to turn you over, legs spread with your back partially upon his chest as he held your thigh up and continued to slowly slide in and out of you. Fuck, his deep moans and grinding motion every time he filled you were going to make you come unhinged at any moment.

His fingers accelerated, torturing your clit in the most pleasureful way, bringing you to the edge. Your gasping and body shaking release brought him along with you as you arched back against his body and mewled.

Lee began to rapidly thrust and heavily pant as he gripped your stomach firmly, holding you in place as his warm seed shot through you in vigorous pulses.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....ah...ah...ah ohhh fuuckkk...shit Jo...baby damn. God I love you."

Lee let you slide down off of him and then you quickly turned over with a glowing smile.

"I love you more." you told him as you caressed his cheek.

Lee gazed into your eyes for a moment as you laid face to face with him and then his expression became serious.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Yeah baby?" you whispered.

"Did you come back for Jacob or for me?"

"Lee...baby what?? Why on earth would you ask something like that?"

"I...I don't know...I guess...it's just...well, once you knew that you were his aunt...is...is that why you came back?"

Your hand snuggly bonded with his to show him he was safe with you as you then provided the words he needed to hear....to believe.

"Baaaaby...how could you ever think that?? Is...is that what you have been thinking about this past week? The moments I noticed you lost in thought at random times? Believe me, I did notice that. Lee, I came to you an hour before I even knew. Reading your beautiful letter that morning, it showed me how ridiculous I was being about Ethan and when you texted me, asking me to meet you, I came running. I wanted to fix things. Did my kiss not prove that? I loved you before I even new about Jacob, I...just didn't know it yet. I literally moved heaven and earth to find you when I left the hospital. Sure, finding your bracelet was a huge help in keeping me from looking like some stalker, but with or without it, I was still determined to find you again. Lee...I came here for YOU. I will ALWAYS come for you and I am so sorry baby, that I ever left you the selfish way I did, or even at all. I swear my soul was inside out without you for those short but extremely long eight days and I don't ever want to feel that way again. I would have came back even if I hadn't learned all that I did. I...I can't stay away from you. Don't you know that by now? You...are my weakness Lee Grinner Pace and the love of my life. There isn't and never was anyone for me but you. I...I am beautiful with you. Do you really still doubt me...us?"

"I'm so sorry. Of course I don't sweetheart. I don't know why I let these thoughts even enter my mind. Old habits die hard I suppose. I should never have asked you that. Everything you just said...I know it's all true. I know you love me. How could you not after all I have put you through and you're still here?"

"Don't apologize for needing reassurance Lee..."

"But I shouldn't need it. Not from you. Now you though, you had every reason to need it from me because I gave you every reason to doubt my love. Do you...still doubt it? I mean, now that you know the entire truth about Ethan? I...I've noticed things too Jo...I feel like something is still weighing on your mind. Tell me what it is baby. Please."

"It...has nothing to do with Ethan. I swear it. You put all those doubts and fears to rest in every way possible. They're gone. I promise. It's..."

You paused and sighed, closing your eyes.

"Hey...it's me. You can tell me anything. My girl, what's wrong?"

"It's that damn dream. Lee, I can't help it. I feel like something really bad is going to happen. It felt like some omen or something and I know, I know...you don't really believe in all..."

"Jo...babe...I see my dead son..."

"Yeah...ok there's that. I'm sorry, I'm ruining this awesome morning and that's why I haven't said anything before this because we have had the most incredible week together, making up for lost time that I caused and..."

"That..I...caused Jo. It's going to be alright baby. I am not going to leave your side and we will stand against Ethan and everything else together...ok? I will never let anyone hurt you. I put my life on it."

You threw the pillow over your head and muffled a scream into it.

"Don't say that Lee!!! Take it back!"

Lee chuckled and tugged the pillow from your death grip.

"Look at me right now. Nothing...is going to happen to me. I am not going anywhere. I am not going to leave you. I prom..."

"No! Don't say it. Don't make promises you can't keep. I KNOW you would never go away of your own will Lee...ok...this is why I didn't say anything and I don't want to talk about it anymore." you huffed and yanked the pillow back.

"My god you're so fucking adorable when you're mad." he said in such a deep sexy voice, then tickled you. As you burst into laughter and squeals, the aroma of coffee crept into the room from Lee's pot he had on a timer.

"FUCK!" he shouted and bounced off the bed as if the house was on fire. "It's 9 o'clock!"

"Oh my god....ok...go...go shower!"

"I have to be there at 10 and the drive is at least 30 minutes and..." he rambled as he cranked the water on and whipped the shower door shut.

"Lee, it's ok! You laid out your clothes last night. We will make it on...." you began to say and then heard a bellowing F bomb as the cold water hit him. Giggling as you shook your head, you hopped up and jumped in the guest shower, long enough to wash your body but not your hair, then started dressing in a god awful skirt and heels since you would be at Lee's side. Fifteen seconds of brushing your teeth, hair up in a messy bun and you were good to go.

Lee on the other hand was now a complete wreck as he dressed in a panic stupor. You knew the problem wasn't so much of being late or what the outcome would be, it was having to face that girl's parents. By the time you both left, Lee was looking like a five year old who dressed himself, suit coat wadded up in his arms, tie hanging loose around his neck and shirt untucked. With a coffee in his hand, you drove so he could try to relax, which didn't happen in the slightest and he was silent the entire ride.

Upon arrival at ten til ten, you saw Orlando's car and parked beside it. You also saw the big red emergency letters that you saw in your dream which sent an immediate shiver down your spine.

Lee froze for a moment as you turned the car off. You undid his seatbelt for him and then took his hand.

"Hey...I am right here with you."

Lee squeezed your hand, offering you a small closed lip smile and then got out. You clung to Lee's arm all the way there, praying that your ankles didn't turn in on you as you internally cursed the dreadful toe smashing heels. You temporarily took them off to make the haul quickly up the two flights of stairs, then slipped them back on just in time to see Elizabitch standing in the vending area.

This was so not what Lee needed right now, for you were afraid that in his state of mind, he would tear into her and accidentally let it slip about knowing Jason was Jacob's father. To say that he desperately wanted to was quite obvious when she just smirked at him and walked away, which you then had to tug him in the other direction as he damn near broke his neck glaring her down with flaring nostrils while watching her leave.

"Fucking cu..."

"Lee! Come on!" you strongly whispered and finally got him to move.

You both finally entered the lobby of the conference room where Britt was impatiently waiting. Needless to say, she was less than thrilled to see Lee's sloppy appearance.

"Glad to see you could make it with literally minutes to spare. Did you just roll out of bed from a night of binge drinking??"

"Hey! Lay off of him Britt! I will help him get straightened up. We didn't have time alright??" you snapped in defense of your highly agitated boyfriend.

"I am only trying to help here because you show up here looking like this and it's only going to scream to Mr. Carpenter of the entire reason we're here. You're a mess Lee. This does not help your case."

"Ok Britt...point noted. You can go now. I'll help him as I said and then we'll be in."

"Ummm no, Josie. You can't go in with him. Lee's a big boy and needs to prove that. You'll just have to wait out here or you could go to the cafeteria. I just saw Dr. Bloom there on my way up. I know he's a bit anxious about this as well so maybe you could keep each other company. This will probably be about an hour. I'm going in now. Get cleaned up."

Britt left and now Lee was a jittery mess knowing you couldn't be at his side and he wasn't thinking clearly, so much so that he tried to follow Britt inside, but you quickly stopped him.

"Hey, no no no, you need to let me fix you up."

You tried helping him with his tie, but he quickly took over, turning it into a twisted mess because he couldn't concentrate and hold still. It was like trying to dress a child for school. You then handed him some mints that you saw on the desk in hopes that the coolness would help him breathe.

"Fuck...Jo...this damn tie...it's choking me...I..I can't..."

"It's ok, it's ok. Just tuck your shirt in and breathe and let me try again. I won't make it tight."

"No..Jo...I go it, I got it...just let me do it."

His breaths were becoming heavy and he seemed a bit disoriented which worried you that he was going to have another panic attack.

"Lee...baby...look at me, look at me." you said, taking his face in your hands as his glistening eyes met yours. "I need you to breathe. Can you do that for me? Just look in my eyes and...breathe. I am not going anywhere. I will wait right here on this couch. The only thing that will separate us is that door and when you come out, my face will be the first thing you see. I love you. I love you soooo much and no matter what happens here today, nothing will ever change that and we'll deal with it all together ok? You can do this baby."

You softly kissed him and stroked his straggled hair into place as he let out a deep sigh through his nose.

"You're the only thing that keeps me sane, I swear to god. I love you too Jo March, more than you could ever know. Ok....you're right. I can do this."

He kissed your forehead and trickled the back of his fingers down your cheek.

"Forever." he whispered and then he went inside.

The very second the door closed, all was silent and you were all alone and then came the uncontrollable tears that you had held back to be strong for him.

You sat down, silently sobbing and pulled your phone out to text Landy, letting him know you were there and that Lee had just went in. He replied telling you that he was praying for Lee and that he would come up but his break was almost over and told you to come find him when Lee was finished.

Lee sat down beside Britt but kept his head down, for he could feel Mr. Carpenter's eyes upon him. Strangely the mother was not present which Lee had noticed at a glance when he first walked in. Also attending were the other staff that assisted Lee the day of Henrietta's operation, including Nurse Amy, Lee and Jo's friend, who cared for her and opposite of them were members of the board. There was also a man that Lee did not recognize sitting at the head of the table. He was a heavier build also dressed in a suit and tie, appearing to be at least twenty to thirty years older than Lee and had long silver hair pulled back in a pony tail. The man spoke quietly with the others for a few minutes, looking over some paperwork and in that time frame, Lee must have eaten every single piece of mint that you gave him as he focused on the image of your face and breathing.

Finally, Britt stood up and began with the introduction and welcoming of the cologne ridden stranger....and her tone caught Lee's attention, for it was forced with a hint of sarcasm.

"Before this meeting commences, I would like to introduce to everyone here our new CEO. Some of you have already had the...pleasure of meeting him this morning, but for those of you that have not, please welcome Mr. Cyrus Renault."

After pacing the room for ten minutes, you found yourself snooping by the door in hopes to hear something but there wasn't a single peep of voices. You couldn't even see light coming out from under the door. Eventually, you sat down with a hard sigh, propping your elbows on your knees and burying your face in your hands....also trying to breathe.

Suddenly, you felt someone sit down beside you and instantly recognized the cologne. Cool Water by Davidoff. How fitting since the one wearing it was none other than your briefly estranged guy bff, Dave.

"Hey you." he softly said with a concerned look in his baby blues that perfectly matched his scrubs.

You slid your hands down just enough to reveal your tear soaked eyes and stared at him in shock, noticing his dark wavy locks had grown longer, which triggered you into sobbing again at the very missed sight of him.

"Heyyy, hey hey." Dave sweetly said and scooted over to you, wrapping his arm around your shoulder.

"What...are you doing here?' you mumbled through your hands. Although you had known the dashing doctor Dave for five years, you still felt uncomfortable crying in front of him.

"I knew about the meeting and I figured you would be here. I just wanted to come check on you."

You swiftly rubbed your tears away and moved back from him, letting him clearly know you were not happy.

"Well, that's nice of you since I haven't seen or heard from you since the day of Orlando's surgery, you know, also the day you took off on me when I told you about Lee and me? You haven't even responded to my texts."

David's eyes fell in shame and then he tried to explain his ghosting actions.

"I'm sorry. I really am. I guess I...I just thought that with all you had going on, you needed space and I..I didn't want to interfere in your new life. I've just been trying to move on is all."

"What, so now we can't be friends anymore because I'm with someone??"

"Friends...yeah." he quietly said, this time his head falling too as he felt the heartbreak all over again in that simple word...friends.

"Look, Josie...I didn't come here to further complicate your life. I...just know what Lee is going through. I've lost patients and I've been blamed. One in particular and similar because she was young like this girl, nineteen. Except it was a common surgery and she suffered a pulmonary embolism. The parents, they wanted someone to blame. That's what grief does to people. So, I just wanted to offer my support and....I missed you and wanted to see you. That's all. You were always around and now...you're not. But as long as you're happy...then I'm happy. Are you...happy?"

Your eyes studied the pain in his expression that he was failing miserably at trying to conceal, and so you lightened up on him.

"I...yes. I am. I'm...just so worried for Lee."

"Well, for what it's worth. I don't think he's responsible for that girl's death. Many here don't. Everyone loves him and supports him. He's a brilliant doctor and surgeon who has just been dealing with things no one should ever have to deal with."

His words made you smile and you took his hand.

"You really are amazing, you know that? And I...I miss you so much. Please don't disappear from my life. I still need you David. I will always need you. Promise me you won't go away."

Dave forced a smile and squeezed your hand.

"I know I've been a shitty selfish friend lately and I truly am sorry. Of course I won't go away Josie. Not unless you tell me to. I'm...I'm just trying to move on myself as I said."

"Apology accepted. So...by move on...have you met someone?"

His hand released yours and his eyes broke contact as he slightly stiffened up.

"Well...I went out with someone, just once and..."

"Ohhh? Do tell! You know you have to tell me now. Spill it Davey. Who is she? Do I know her? Do you like her?"

He chuckled. "I...reeeally don't think you want or need to hear this right now....and I should have known better than to say anything.

"Uh yes I do. You're hiding something. Don't forget who you're talking to here. I know you. Who is it? What's the big deal?"

He sighed and seemed very nervous.

"Dave!....you're kinda scaring me here. Out with it."

"Yeah ok umm..." he said and stood up, almost as if he were steering clear of your reaction. "It's...it's kind of....Nurse...Webber...."

In that moment, you truly hoped that door was a s soundproof as it seemed to be.

"You're dating Lee's psycho ex!!!!" you reeled as you flung to your feet. "Have you lost your damn mind???"

"Woah, hey, calm down Jos..."

"Don't tell me to calm down! I mean, you OBVIOUSLY know about the shit she's done or you wouldn't be telling me to calm down or so damn afraid to tell me who it was! Jesus, does your sister know???"

"Ok, Josie stop. It was one date. I'm just getting to know her. I kind of like her ok? She don't seem anything like what people say and no, Britt don't know..."

"Oh my fucking god...I can't believe my ears right now. What is there to get to know when you KNOW all there IS to know?? I can line up people for you if you'd like to tell you that it would be the biggest mistake of your life to ever get involved with her! I think you know this because why haven't you told Britt?? Because you know Britt despises her! And I am willing to bet that Elizabitch is just using you to aggravate me and Britt both. It's how she rolls Dave!"

"What...so she can't actually like me for me?"

"NO!! She's a cheating whore and she's capable of doing very bad things and I don't want to see you be one of her casualties. People get hurt when she's involved. Just ask Lee. Ask Jason!!"

"Ask...Jason?"

You had to think quickly to recover from the mistake of blurting that out in your bout of anger.

"I..I meant...if...he were here...but he's not, but Britt will tell you. My landlord will even tell you cause he was married to her. key word...WAS. Dave...damn it...please listen to me. I care about you so much and I just feel that you're vulnerable right now and she preys on that shit. Lee....he thinks she is responsible for his son's death although he can't prove it and I believe it too or I would never have told you. But you need to understand. She's trouble with a capital ass T. I want you to be happy, I do, just not with her because you won't be happy! She'll hurt you and so help me god if she does...."

Just then, surprisingly, the conference door opened after only thirty minutes of collaboration. You gasped and spun around, fearing they all heard your raging rant but instead...Lee came out as Britt and others followed, all leaving except Britt....and Lee's face, you couldn't yet read.

You froze, your eyes locked in his as you gulped and then noticed an angered man storm out which you then gathered to be Mr. Carpenter. Once he was gone, Lee finally spoke as a smile formed on his face.

"Dr. Pace is officially back baby. I'm innocent."

Your hands flew to your face, leaving only your gaping eyes revealed and then you found yourself jumping into his arms and being spun around as he laughed and almost cried while kissing your head through your hair over and over. As he put you down, Dave was no longer in your sight. He had left.

"Oh my god baby, I am so happy for you! I knew it, deep down somehow that you would be found unaccountable. Now, you can finally breathe."

"Congratulations Lee." Britt then said, seemingly remorseful for being so hard on him earlier.

"Yes, congratulations Dr. pace." a voice sounded from behind you both that had your jaw dropping as you turned to see who it was.

"Oh my, well isn't this a treat?" Cyrus continued when he saw you with your arm clung to Lee's. "Jo...March is it? We meet again."

"You...you know him?" Lee asked as Britt's eyes widened with the same question.

"Not formally." Cyrus answered for you. "We met briefly outside my son's apartment. Let me properly introduce myself. Once again, I am Cyrus Renault, Craig's father as I'm sure you now know and the new CEO of Salem hospital."

Your eyes darted to Britt in utter confusion, considering you knew he had just been released from prison and Jason believed him responsible for the hit put on him. Surely Britt must know that, you thought.

"You all...look stunned?" he added when no one spoke. "Is there a...problem?"

That's when Britt's good old non-filtered mouth chose to reply.

"I think all who work here are stunned after your time served in prison for polluting Salem with your drug shipments and trying to kill Jason Morgan."

You couldn't believe she just said that to her apparent new boss, although you understood it because you felt the same exact way and now you had to later explain this to Lee because you had honestly forgot about this creep.

Cyrus began to laugh, quite hard for a moment before he made a not so subtle threat to your girl bff.

"Although I admire your honesty, I would advise you to temper your attitude...and accusations if you value your position here as Chief of Staff Dr. Westbourne, among...other things."

By this point, Lee's eyes were wild with wonder and bewilderment as he remained silent, listening to this scene play out.

"And from what I understand, Mr. Morgan, or March should I say? is in fact dead, victim of an explosion, correct? While I, in fact, was wrongfully incarcerated, so it is utterly impossible for me to have had any involvement in his untimely demise. You know, Miss March, I figured out who you were after I left that day. Jason is, sorry correction, was, your brother. I offer you my condolences. Such a young soul to meet such a terrible fate."

You suddenly felt nauseous and lightheaded in your anger as you grabbed onto Lee.

"Hey, you ok?" he asked as he quickly put his arm around your waist to steady you.

"Ahhh, so I take it the two of you are an...item?" Cyrus went on without a single care over his lying and insensitive words.

"I'm sorry, we really should be going. Lee, Orlando is waiting for us." you said with a look Lee understood very well.

"Yeah of course. Britt, let me know my schedule when you have it ready. And umm...it was...nice to meet you Mr. Renault." Lee said with hesitation.

"Oh the pleasure was all mine. Welcome back Dr. Pace. I am sure we will be seeing a lot more of each other. You both take care now."

A shiver ran all through your body at his double entendre of words and you couldn't get out of there fast enough.

"Josie!" Britt loudly called out, then calmed her tone. "I...we will talk soon ok?"

You saw the fear in her eyes and you knew she saw yours.

"Yes. Soon."

As soon as you and Lee rounded the corner, you took your heels off and ran for the bathroom.

"Jo! babe..." Lee called and ran after you, following you right into the women's restroom without a care, which luckily, it appeared empty.

You leaned on the sink, beginning to hyperventilate as Lee rubbed your back.

"Jo, sweetheart, what's going on?"

You filled your palm with water and quickly drank it, then ripped your hair down and ran your wet hands through it.

"Lee....it...it's him. Cy...Cyrus...he's...I forgot to....he's the one....he tried to kill Jason. He...he had....someone else do it while he was in prison....Jason...Jason said he is certain that the Zacchara's...Johnny, the guy you met at the rink...Jason told me...that he and Ethan were hired to do it."

"You told me about Jason saying it was Johnny and Ethan and possibly even Liz, but how do you know it was this guy? Who the hell is he??"

"Well, as you heard, he's...he's Craig's dad...but other than that, I don't know much more about him. I didn't stick around long enough to ask Jason or Craig, but obviously, he's mob and I do know he's Sonny's number one enemy. Jesus Lee...I...I am so sorry I ever drug you into my mess of a life. This all...could put you in danger and god, my dream...."

"Hey, don't do that. Come here."

Lee pulled you close and lightly rocked you.

"You couldn't have known things would ever come to this. You had no idea Jason was even alive until now Jo...."

"Lee...you, Orlando, Britt, even Dave...you all have to work around him and that psycho bitch. I don't like this! I saw Dave earlier...he told me he went on some date with her! I need to talk to Britt later. It's quite obvious she knows who Cyrus really is and she needs to know about her brother so she can talk some damn sense into him."

"What about Jason though? Are you going to tell her he's alive? Or do you think she possibly already knows? Maybe he told her since he loves her?"

"No...he wouldn't do that, risk her life. He didn't even mean for me to find out. I can't tell her. Only you can know."

"Alright. Let's get out of here and go see Landy ok? And then, maybe we can go try and celebrate? I mean, only about my innocence and reinstatement. I will still always feel so terribly awful for that girl's death and what that family is going through."

"I know baby. But yeah, that sounds good. Lee?"

"Yeah my girl?" he asked as you both went out into the hall with him sweetly carrying your shoes.

"I love you, truly... madly...and so deeply."

"Mmmm...right back at ya babe." he replied with a grin as you stood on your tippy toes and kissed him.

After you both left, the bathroom door slowly opened from the inside and out walked Elizabeth into the hall with the look of a cat who swallowed the canary. She had heard everything as she hid in the stall with her feet up and now knew that Jason....was in fact alive.

You and Lee met up with Amy at the nurse's station who informed you that Orlando was just around the corner, already having trouble on his first day back with Nurse Theresa who once again was complaining over his illegible writing.

"I swear she's ruthless. Hey babe, catch up with Amy for a bit and I'll go save him." Lee said as he grinned. "Be right back. Love you."

"Ok." you laughed. "Love you!"

"Awwwww. You guuuuys are so cute! And it's good to see Lee looking so happy. I'm so glad things worked out for him. We were all pulling for him."

"Thanks Ames. But not all were." you snarled as you locked eyes with Elizabeth who was trotting down the stairs serving you a look of gloat. Why was beyond you and it's pissed you off nonetheless.

"Oh that bitch..."

"Oh no you don't!" Amy said, grabbing your hand as you tried to go after her. "Leave the bottom dweller where she belongs. This is a happy day for you and Lee. Don't let her ruin it. Karma will get her. It always does."

"Ugh." you huffed. "You're right. AS always."

"Of course I am. Hey, now that you're here...I thought I would tell you that...Gerry is here."

"What? Why?? Is he following me again???"

"This time I can actually say no. Jo...it's Victor. He had a heart attack last night. Gerry has been here since they brought him in."

"Oh my god...do they think he will recover?"

"Well....you could probably ask him that yourself." she said as she glanced behind you at Gerry walking over to the vending machine.

You're ex-fiance was the last person you wanted to see at that time, or ever really, but you felt bad. His father meant a lot to him and actually to you as well considering he was Bo's father too and almost your father-in-law once upon a time. Not to mention he was special to your mother. You wondered if she knew, that maybe Gerry called her. She always liked the Scottish detective regardless of all that happened, most likely because he was Victor's son and it was one of the reasons she still had issues with Megan for destroying your relationship, although to you, he did that all on his own.

As you approached Gerry, he was cussing out the machine and shaking it.

"Hey....Ger..." you quietly said, trying not to startle him, but it didn't work.

"Jesus shit!" he panted as he spun around, then smiled in embarrassment when he saw it was you.

"Umm..hi...Josie."

"Didn't I teach you not to sneak up a man with a gun?" he joked. although his icy blues, also matching his shirt, held fear and sadness.

"I uh...I heard about Victor. I'm so sorry Ger...how's he doing?"

"Not good. Stable but still critical I guess. He's up in ICU. I came down here to find a machine that actually worked but as you can see...it's a piece of shit."

He turned and gave it another ferocious shake and then groaned as he vigorously rubbed his face.

"Here...let me try. Which one were you getting? The Payday candy bar like usual?"

He stared at you for a moment, seemingly shocked that you still remembered that, or anything about him at all.

"Jesus Ger, what happened to your eye?" you asked about the small bruise below it as you pushed the number selection. Down the candy bar dropped.

"Oh you know, a day in a cop's life. How the hell did you do that?"

"It's called pushing the right number and not the one beside it that has an empty spot."

"Oh..." he flatly said, now even more humiliated. "Thanks."

"Gerry...are you ok?"

"Yep, never better. How bout you? Why are you here?"

"Lee...he had a meeting. So, where's your brother? Are you here alone?"

"Brady will be in tonight. He was out of town. So yeah, it's just me for now. I called mum so she would know."

"How is Margaret? Gosh, it's still so weird that she has the same name as my mom."

"You always thought that was a sign." he chuckled. "Sorry..um, yeah, she's doing alright. Bullheaded as ever. I had to talk her out of flying here just to be with me. I don't really like her to fly all the way from Scotland by herself. She asked about you."

"Well...tell her I said hello. I umm, better not keep you from Victor and Lee will be back shortly so..."

"Yeah...yeah, of course. Go on. It was um, nice...to see you again. You look....happy."

"I...I am...happy. It was...nice to see you too. Gerry, if...if you need anything, it's ok to ask me. I'll do whatever I can for you and Vic, otherwise...maybe keep me updated? I'd appreciate that. I'm sure my mom will want to know."

"Yeah, I um, didn't know if I should call her or not. But thank you, I'll keep your offer in mind and I will let you know if anything changes. Oh and hey...thanks for the candy bar." He said as he gave it a small toss in his hand."

"Not a problem......bye...Gerry."

"Yeah....bye." he softly said and sighed as he watched you walk away.

Lee was with Amy when you returned and he had been watching you and Gerry.

"Hey....everything alright Jo?" he asked as he glanced at Gerry pouring a cup of coffee.

"I hope so. His dad is in the hospital."

"Yeah...Amy filled me in. Jo, sweetheart...it's ok if you want to go and see Victor. He's Bo's dad too and I know you're mom cared for him deeply. And Gerry looks like he could use some company."

"His brother Brady is coming in later tonight. Lee, I'm not leaving you right now, not after you've waited so long for this day and got the news you wanted and deserved. Gerry...he's not....my responsibility anymore."

"I know baby. It doesn't mean you don't still care and there's nothing wrong with that. I mean, I know what he's feeling, because of my mom and all and I too was alone. Gordon was nowhere to be seen and dad was sick. You don't have to go. I just wanted you to know...it's ok if you did. I would completely understand."

You walked up to Lee and kissed him deeply. "God I love you. You have so much compassion for others, even after the way Gerry treated you. You're a good man Lee and you were meant to help people."

"Yeah well...Gerry...he was just jealous. I understand that too."

"You, my guy, are so amazing but....I am...not..leaving you. Now, where's Landy??"

"Oh, he'll be here in a few. He had to check one last patient."

"Speaking of the good doctor, there he is!" you loudly laughed to see Orlando strutting down the hall, all doctored back up in blue scrubs like Dave's and hand's in his white coat pockets with a stethoscope loosely hanging around his neck. And of course, Lee had to be silly and put a musical vibe to his walk.

"Orlando Banando! Well you can tell by the way I walk my walk, I'm a woman's man, no time to talk....Ahhh Ahhh Ahhh Ahhh staying alive staying alive! Staying aliiiiiiiiive!!" he sang in his best Bee Gee voice, which was pretty damn good, and did the pointed finger dance thing like John Travolta did.

Orlando lowered his head with a grin as he kept up his cool cat strut and you were just enamored at the sight of him.

"Oh my gosh, you cut your hair! It looks so good!" you raved and gave him a hug. "How's your first day back?"

"Well I certainly didn't miss having my handwriting picked the fuck apart but otherwise, it's good to be back. Thanks Jo...about the hair but...I hate it. I look twelve."

Lee busted up laughing and gave Orlando a fast head scrub, messing the short and straight do all up.

"I'd say more like Llyod on Dumb and Dumber."

"Ahhh hell naw!!" Orlando chortled and playfully attacked him, pulling his head down and giving him the good old high school noogie.

You couldn't have been happier in that moment to see the two being bff's again and to see them both so happy...at least you hoped Landy was, for you knew he was a master of disguise when it came to his depression. The happiness was short lived though as you were all interrupted by a very disturbed Mr. Carpenter.

"Well would you look at that? Celebrating and all going on with your lives as if it didn't stop for my daughter. Big win for you today eh Dr. Pace?? Not a care in the world now while my wife and I suffer because that bastard killed my little girl!"

You ran to Lee's side as Orlando stepped right up to block the grieving man's path to him.

"Mr. Carpenter, Mr. Carpenter! No one here is celebrating your loss. I know you are grieving and you're angry and you want someone to blame, but Dr. Pace was found innocent and I believe it in my heart that he is. He is a great doctor and he never would have out your daughter or any patient at risk."

"Of course you're going to defend him! He's your colleague and your best friend. Do you think I didn't do my homework on Dr. perfect here, which turns out he's NOT so perfect at all."

"Don't blame Dr. Pace sir. He had a room full of staff who attest that he was exemplary in every way throughout the procedure."

"Do you hear yourself??? As if they would rat him out. You all are thick like thieves here. My daughter asked repeatably to see you on the night she died and where were you? Off in the E.R. where you do not work, trying to help a fucking mobster who was a s good as dead already and then you went off to tend to his sweet little sister for a measly panic attack when my daughter was recovering from brain surgery that you poorly performed because you were probably high as a damn kite! You left her alone to protect a mobster and his family!!!"

"Exemplary??? I don't think so. I know ALL about you. Did you all seriously think I was just going lie down and ignore this little cult of cover ups here??? Knowledge is power and you may have gotten away with it, but I know what you did!"

"Jo...go wait in the waiting room..." Lee sternly whispered to you, not taking his eyes off of the disturbed man.

"No! I'm not leaving you here with him..."

"Hey...is everything alright here sir???" Gerry asked as he swiftly appeared and stood beside Orlando and face to face with Mr. Carpenter.

"Who the hell are you??"

"Well now, that depends on you." he snarked as he pulled out his badge. "Detective Butler. Salem PD. Now, do we have a problem here? You're in the middle of a hospital and you're making a scene. I couldn't help but overhear and I am very sorry for your loss, but this is not the way to handle things. I'm going to have to ask you to leave and if you insist on continuing, I will be forced to arrest you."

"You're fucking kidding me right? He killed my daughter and you threaten to arrest me?? "

He leaned on the nurse's station and seemingly became more angry and distressed.

"Henrietta is gone! Because of you!" he growled as he pointed directly at Lee.

"Alright...Mr. Carpenter is it? I'm not going to ask at this point. I'm telling you to leave." Gerry firmly ordered.

"Amy...clear the people out of the area." Britt said as she came running up with Dave.

Amy quickly did so, guiding the five viewers in the lobby out and then things went from bad to worse in a matter of seconds.

"And you! Dr. Westbourne. I now all about you too! You were there that night. You could have tended to your lover slash assassin and someone else could have taken care of his little sister here...but no...Dr. Pace couldn't resist trying to land another piece of ass and it looks like you succeeded. Can't say as I blame you too much though on that part alone...she is one fine piece of candy. What do ya say sunshine, you, me, let's get out of here and I'll show you a real coc...."

It happened before you even knew what was happening. Lee's fist connected with Mr. Carpenters face and then he plowed him onto the ground.

"Lee!!! Stop!!!" you screamed as the two scuffled to their feet, still locked together until Orlando and Gerry took over....Gerry grabbing Lee because he was bigger and left Mr. Carpenter to Orlando as Dave moved you and his sister to a safe spot.

Mr. Carpenter had a bloodied nose and a bruised eye, which one came from Lee's sucker punch, you did not know as you stood petrified inside Britt's arms with Dave guarding you both.

Lee panted heavily as he fumed with pursed lips and a red face, struggling to free himself from Gerry's death grip of his arms being locked behind his back.

"Arrest him!! I want him arrested now!!"

What happened this time, blew your fucking mind.

"Arrest him for what?" Gerry asked as he released Lee and gave him a look to shut up and be good.

"What the hell do you mean for what??? He attacked me! You all saw it!"

"I didn't see anything. Did you see anything, Dr. Bloom?" Gerry replied.

Orlando's eyes were wide and confused. "Umm...uh...no. Nope. Nothing." he answered when he finally caught on what Gerry was doing.

"How bout you, Dr. Westbourne, Dr. Conrad or you Josie?"

"N...no." Britt answered and gaped down at you as Dave gave an eye lowered no.

"Nope. Not a thing." you abruptly responded and intensely gazed at Lee.

"Well... they're the only ones here besides myself Mr. Carpenter and no one saw any attack. I think you should be on your way now."

"You're a disgrace to the police department. You're no different than a common criminal. I'll have that shiny badge you abuse. Between cops and criminals, I'm not going to stand for it. My daughter will have justice. I'm going to get it for her. I'm going to get it for her mother, I'm going to get it for me...if it's the last thing I do."

Mr. Carpenter glared at Lee then stormed out, followed by Dave to make sure he left as you immediately ran onto Lee's arms.

"I'm sorry Jo, I'm sorry...I..."

"I think you two should probably head out." Gerry interrupted. "I'll follow you to your car in case he's lurking around."

"Gerry....th..thank you. I..I don't know what to say." you softly told him.

"You don't need to say anything." he said, giving you a quick touch of his hand on your cheek. "Honestly, I would have done the same thing with him saying what he said. He went too far."

"Yeah but...he's gonna cause trouble for you now when you had nothing to do with any of this."

"Nahhh. I'm not worried about guys like him. I've encountered far worse. Lee, you alright man?"

"Not a scratch. So, what she said. Thank you. I kind of lost my mind for a minute."

"Between you and me, if you hadn't done it, I would have. I know what it's like to see red. No thanks needed. I was just stopping you from digging yourself in deeper because it's what he wanted. If he gives you any more trouble, get a hold of me. Come on. I'll walk you guys out."

"Lando...I'll call you later man." Lee told his bff and hugged him. "Thanks for helping."

"Britt...talk soon ok? Tell Dave to text me later. Bye Landy."

You gave both of them a hug as well and then resumed your place under Lee's wing and left with Gerry in tow.

Lee drive this time with you close against him as you saw Gerry standing at the hospital entrance watching you both like a hawk until you were out of sight.

"You ok?" Lee asked as he kissed the top of your head that was snuggled in his armpit.

"I will be once we are home."

"Home huh? I love that you call it that."

"You smiled and closed your eyes. "Because you are home to me."

@redeemer46

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fantasies-fairytales-n-fics · 1 year ago

Text

Code Blue Ch. 44- Blackbird

Summary: Liz is unwillingly brought into the ER. Lee experiences something ominous. He and Britt have a huge disagreement which helps Lee see his future more clearly. Lee pays his karma respects. Luke is on the case to Lee's dismay. Angel is put in her place. Lee meets the strange Spinelli who has something for him. Cyrus makes an offer and a very indiscreet threat. Lee takes another blow. More signs come. Lee tends to Jo in more ways than one. Code Blue.

*Chapter Warnings* DARK! REDRUM!! language, angst, stab wounds, anxiety meds and alcohol use, death depiction, smut, sexual depictions

Stories Stories Stories Masterlist:

Chapter characters: Lee, Josie, Orlando, Spinelli, Maggie, Elizabeth, Britt, Luke, Angel, Cyrus

Salem, Massachusetts

March 20, 2023

The emergency room doors glided opened at 6:30 p.m. as Damion Spinelli struggled to support a very filthy, pale, cold and severely injured Elizabeth who collapsed only moments after entry. If he had found her when he was alone, Spinelli would not have lifted a finger to help her since he knew of Jason's plan, but since a very distressed Maggie had been present, he had no choice, for she insisted he take Liz to the hospital and she rode with him.

Nurses immediately assisted and placed Elizabeth onto a wheeled bed as a physician quickly checked her over her while grilling Damion about what happened. He told the doctor he did not know, that she appeared out of nowhere, covered in blood and collapsed, which actually was the truth.

After a brief assessment of her wounds, it was determined that Liz had been stabbed multiple times in the abdomen and was quickly rushed off to a room for further preliminary treatment while Spinelli sat with Maggie in the waiting room to help keep her calm.

Lee had just finished rounds with patients he knew, some he he didn't and headed up to his office for a much needed quiet break while he filled out some paperwork and to text you. Upon getting his phone out, you had finally responded to his text from lunch time that simply said "was sleeping sorry."

Almost 7 hours? he thought as he replied.

"Baby, are you alright? I'll come home if you need me to. You're so quiet."

"No. Just tired." was all you said and dozed back off on the couch with the dark room's only light from the fireplace. This was exactly why you would never took your anxiety medication which this time you stupidly washed down with many glasses of white wine, not to mention, the meds would make you loopy if you tried to walk around which was not good considering you were already naturally accident prone.

"Ok sweetheart. I only have 4 more hours and I'll be home. I'll just surprise you with some food so you don't have to choose. Sweet dreams my love. I love you."

A few minutes went by and you did not reply. Lee laid his phone down and just stared at the display pic of you and him, rubbing his thumb softly over your face.

He remembered that day at the farm out by the pond, softly kissing your lips as you took a blind selfie of the sweet moment and amazingly, the filtered shot turned out almost as perfect and beautiful as he thought you were.

Lee then brought his focus to the stack of paperwork he needed to complete and just stared at that too. His mind just wasn't there. Was he really suffering from separation anxiety because all he could think about was you? He knew it was just that, for he had felt this way when you had left him for a week. Orlando was wrong. Lee knew he would not adjust to it.

He got up and went to the window where the full moon shone in as he drank another red bull. The night was a blustery rainy mess and he just wanted to be cuddled up with you on the couch by the fireplace with a good scary movie, or better yet...making love to you.

As he went to take another sip of his go to work drink, something out of the ordinary happened for that time of night. A crow smacked into the window, startling Lee so bad that he spilled the red bull all over his white dress shirt. This was a very good reason he disliked wearing white, although it wouldn't have mattered in this case of saturation.

"Jesus, what the fuck!" he snapped as he gaped at the blood smeared glass bearing his surprised reflection.

Now his mind was spinning like a tornado, for he knew what it meant of a blackbird striking a window, or really any bird for that matter. Death.... but it was much more of a sinister sign when it was a crow, or at least that's what Lee believed.

Frustrated beyond measure, Lee tore off the shirt, buttons flying about and opened a bottle of water to clean his chest off, then went to his wardrobe of extra clothing, pulling out a purple long sleeved dress shirt and quickly changed into it. As he headed for the door and yanked it open to go buy another unneeded replacement beverage, Orlando was standing there with his hand up, ready to knock.

"Jesus man! Don't do that shit." Lee gasped as he jumped back, still freaked out over the bird incident.

"Sorry?? Didn't think you'd be whipping the door open as I came up."

"No...I'm sorry. I'm just having a bad fucking night and want to go home. What's up?"

"Well, it's about to get worse. Elizabeth was just brought in to the ER. She's been...um...stabbed...like a lot."

"Say that again?" Lee asked with an arched brow.

"I think you heard me."

Lee barged right past Orlando and sped down the stairs, heading to the ER, but not out of any concern for Liz, but out of shock that she was still alive and even more shocking, Lee didn't feel one ounce of guilt over that. Would anyone blame him after what Liz did to Jacob??

Britt had just came in for her shift and didn't even make it to the elevator when she saw an unconscious Liz being wheeled out on a bed, hooked up to oxygen and an IV. Out of great curiosity, she stopped the nurses to find out what happened considering Liz had just been fired 4 days earlier per Cyrus's request, a man Britt knew loathed Elizabeth....and now here she was, fighting for her life.

After finding out the extent of her injuries, Britt ordered them to carry on with taking her to prep for surgery, which a very disconcerted Lee witnessed and physically stopped Britt in her tracks.

"Are you seriously sending her in for help??"

"Lee what?? Of course I am? Where else would I send her??" britt asked, completely flabbergasted at his inhumane words.

"THAT way. To the morgue where she belongs!" he snapped as he pointed to the exit, startling Britt.

"DOCTOR Pace. Need I remind you that that is who you are?? AND where you are?? A hospital?? That's what we do here remember? Help people. ALL people regardless of our feelings towards them."

"Maybe that's you but that's not me. She killed my son!!"

"Keep your voice down!" Britt sternly whispered. "You need to go back to your office and calm the hell down."

"Are you really telling me to CALM down?? You of all people know what she is."

"I do know Lee. Greatly. But I am the chief of staff here and a doctor and I am still your boss so you need to do as I've asked."

"You're an OBGYN!" he snarked with a chuckle. "You know, the ones who bring children into the world, unlike nurse Elizadeath who takes them out! And you're a hypocrite. Did you not threaten Liz "Jason style" at my dad's funeral? Jo told me."

"This isn't about me Lee. Now you need to get yourself under control or you can go home. My god, you just got your job back after anxiously waiting all this time and it's your first day! Maybe it was too much too soon and you just need part time for awhile to get your feet wet again."

"Yeah well maybe I don't want it back and maybe this was the reason I've been waiting for to burn this mob controlled house down. I don't know about you but I am not OK with having a mob boss as MY boss. It's bad enough working under you. And I'm not OK with saving people like her. She's the exception to the rule of do no harm."

"Ok, you need to heed your words after all that just went down with Mr. Carpenter's daughter and he himself. It doesn't look good Lee."

"Hooollly hell....are you fucking him too??"

"EXcuuuse me???"

"You know what? Never mind. I'm sure you are. You do know Jason would take care of her right? Which makes me wonder how the two of you ever worked out. You being a healer, him being quite the opposite. I mean, do you even know that she helped kill him too??? Do you know the real reason why?? Or the real reason he wanted her dead? Do you even care???"

"That's enough! Take the rest of the night off Dr. Pace and I suggest when you return, you don't bring Dr. Hyde with you."

Lee's expression turned smug as he leaned down to whisper in Britt's ear. "Jacob was Jason's biological son and he knew it. And he knew what Liz did to Jake. That's the first reason why he wanted her dead with the second being the fact that she tried to off him with the help of Ethan and Johnny Zacchara under the orders of YOUR sleezy new jailbird boss. And she did it alllll because of little ole you. This hospital is a landfill rotted with mounds of overflowing trash and I cannot breathe here anymore."

Lee walked off, leaving Britt speechless over what he just revealed and the only thing she could process out of it at that moment was one word that she whispered as she turned with befuddled eyes to watch Lee disappear around the corner.

"Tried??"

Once Lee rounded the corner, he momentarily stopped and then peeked back to see if Britt had left, in which he caught a glimpse of her heading to the break room. There was no way he was leaving until he saw Liz up close and personal.

After Britt was out of sight, Lee snuck in the room where Liz was semi-conscious and in shock, rambling away a series of jumbled words as nurse Theresa was preparing her pre-op sedative.

"Oh...Dr. Pace, I didn't see you there."

"Not only can't you read, but you're blind as well. Interesting." Lee retorted in defense of Orlando being badgered by her about his handwriting.

"I...I'm sorry?"

"You should be. I need you to leave."

"Umm, Dr. Pace I need to giv..."

"NOW...nurse...Theresa." he barked, emphasizing her name.

She pursed her lips and scurried out and Lee knew he would have little time before she brought Britt back with her.

"Well well well Lizzie. We meet again, except this time, I'm standing over you. Isn't it ironic, don'tcha think? Looks like the karma train found you." Lee taunted, just as she had done to him after the accident with Jacob.

"Train...t..train..." Liz mumbled, becoming agitated at Lee's voice. "Jake...he's on...Jacob...I see him....hear...the...train...no...noo...no...I...I...don't want to....no...go away...go..."

Lee's eyes widened at her words as the heart rate monitor began to rapidly chime.

"You! Out now!" Britt snapped, pushing Lee aside as she came rushing in with a smug faced nurse Theresa.

Lee formed a grin as Liz's eyes slightly opened to see his gloating ones.

"Chooo chooo." he snarked with a wicked arched brow as he nonchalantly backed his way out of the room with his hands in his pockets.

Once he turned around, there on the far side of the nurses station, stood Angel in her work attire, speaking with "detective" Luke, a sight he wasn't prepared to see. For one thing, his long time friend who he was currently at odds with, was up to his womanizing ways, pretending to comfort an upset Angel as he rubbed her arm in a very provocative way when she was a complete stranger to him and then there she was, being her typical self, eating the attention right up as she flaunted her bedroom eyes up at him.

With his hands still in his pockets, Lee crept around the large square cubicle, watching them and was able to hear Angel's quiet words as he came up behind Luke undetected, interrupting Angel before she could blab about Jason for the time being.

""No, she hasn't said anything about what happened as far as I am aware, although I do know....oh! Le..um I..I mean Dr. Pace. I didn't see you standing there." Angel said with surprise as she flirtatiously bit her bottom lip, seemingly losing all interest in Luke just like that.

"Ha! yeah, crazy huh? Here I am, six foot five... and NO one seems to see me today." Lee joked with a fake full on smile, paired with incredulous sarcasm and then his smile vanished as he leered at Luke. "Well, look what the cat dragged in. I hear congratulations are in order. How's being a rookie cop treating you these days?"

"Detective." Luke flatly riposted with a returned leer.

"Ahh, my bad. Guess I should have known that by the Miami Vice Crockett get up. You always did have a thing for Don Johnson."

"Why are you always trying to cause trouble?" Luke firmly stated as he walked up to Lee.

"Me? Trouble? Nah, that's more your style and I bet Landy and those bar thugs would agree. What are you doing here?"

"I think that's obvious, don't you?. So tell me Lee, where were you in the past 24 hours?"

"Are you serious right now?"

"As serious as Elizabeth Webber's attack. You see, we have a stabbing victim, one you knew quite well and one you disliked very much."

"AS did you and half of Salem, but if you must know as you should know and probably did, I was with my girlfriend at my lake house all morning and for the past 4 days as well and then I came here today for my shift at 10 am."

"I...thought you said you and Jolene were done???" Angel reeled as she rudely cut in.

Lee's eyes closed as he released a hard sigh of agitation through flared nostrils, for he was at his wit's end with her and with everyone else in his path that night.

"What I said was, we were having issues, which by the way was a flat out lie and let me correct your intentionally trite bullshit. It's JOSIE!" Lee barked, making Angel jump.

"Fuck you Lee." Angel snarled as she glared at him and stormed off.

Lee turned his head to the side she walked past him on.

"There isn't enough whiskey on the PLANET darlin, but thanks, I'd fuck me too." Lee happily riposted and then turned back to Luke.

"Alright, so I know the drill. Don't leave town blah blah blah...are we done here?? I have a job to do."

"For now. So...you won't mind me questioning Josie about your...alibi...for the morning hours?"

"Oh... you'd love that wouldn't you? Anything to be close to her."

"Actually, yes I would love that. You see, I also have a job to do. And as you said...don't leave town."

Luke grinned and gave Lee a hard pat on the shoulder as he walked off.

Lee was mad as a hatter, his lips and jaw clenched so tight that the bones in his neck were protruding while he eyed Luke's swaggered exit. Just when he thought he had a moment of peace, his name was being called by a familiar voice.

"Lee!!" Maggie cried as she came running up and into his arms, followed by Spinelli whom Lee did not know.

"Margaret?? What's wrong?? Why are you here?? My god, is Jo..."

"No...noo..." she sobbed as he held her. "I...I'm the one who found Elizabeth. Is she...is she alright??"

"I...I really don't know. They were prepping her for surgery. I...I didn't know you found her...you...knew her??"

"I did...briefly...because of Jason, but I haven't seen her in years." she explained through her sniffles and then released Lee. "I had no idea she is the mother of your boy. Damion here, was filling me in. I'm sorry, where are my manners. Lee, this is Damion Spinelli. He was Jason's good friend...Jo's too and he happened to be there tonight at the pub and heard me scream when she came stumbling out of the bushes."

Lee's attention turned to the younger dark haired guy that couldn't have been more than your age who seemed naturally nervous and talked a million miles an hour.

"Damion...I don't believe we've met, yet you seem to know me??"

"My apologies. Lee, if I may...er may I call you that?" he asked and quickly carried on without giving Lee a chance to answer. "You see, I am very well acquainted with the March family, Jason in particular...as you obviously now know per the fiery highness informing you of that just now and I am also a very dear friend of the blonde one."

"I...I'm sorry, the... blonde..one?"

"Oh..my apologies I offer again. The fair Josephine March, the one you adore and cherish to the moon and back. She and I were in attendance together in our more youthful days. Class of 2011. Salem High. We once shared a most magical night under the stars...well, that is what the prom theme was referenced as in our junior year. I still remember it like it was only yesterday, she in her red as roses gown that complemented her then fiery strands, hence why I used to refer to her as the fiery one once upon a time." Spinelli rambled on as he envisioned you and he that night.

"Youuuu...used to...date...my girlfriend?" Lee asked, quite puzzled, for Damion seemed to be the furthest of your type and it was even more puzzling that he was actually employed by a mob boss, for Lee recalled you telling him about Spinelli and his hacking skills.

"Well..I would imagine your definition and my definition of dating are not one in the same. I mean...it was a date for me that night yes, but we were not per se, like you and she are? Josephine, with her kindest of hearts, took pity on my poor soul when I was turned down by the troubled one...oh, that would be Megan, the sibling Josephine rivals with. I am forever most grateful to the blonde one for making a very sour night turn sweet and for her genuine and continued friendship all these years and for making me feel welcomed into her family, hence where I met Jason and the more than lovely Margaret. No concern is needed. Josephine only has eyes for you from what I am highly aware of."

Lee's mind was boggled by Spinelli's intellectual rantings and he wasn't quite sure what to make of him yet, but...he did make him chuckle for the first time during his long drug out and stressful shift.

"No worries Damion. I wasn't concerned."

"Oh please, address me as Spinelli, if I may ask of the good doctor Pace?"

"Lee is just fine, as you asked earlier. It is nice to meet you Spinelli and I am glad you were there tonight for Margaret and also that you care for Jo as you do. You seem like a really good friend to her and the family. Oh and Margaret...you...haven't spoken to Jo have you? About...what happened?"

"No..no I..I have been too distracted with it all."

"That's good. I would like to tell her myself when my shift is over, which is in roughly two hours. If she knows what you endured, she would be driving down here alone, in the rain and dark and all in a panic. Are you sure you're alright Margaret? I can leave early and take you home." Lee sweetly offered with a softened smile and genuine compassion in his eyes as he took her hands into his.

"Oh no dearest Lee, you're so very kind but Damion will take me. You go take care of my daughter. I will be alright after I get home and pour me some good old Irish whiskey over some ice." she said with a giggle that reminded Lee of yours.

"That sounds very good doesn't it?" Lee asked, chuckling at the woman he hoped would one day be his mother-in-law. "I promise you, I will assure Jo that you are doing alright and please, please call at any hour if you need us."

Maggie squeezed his hands and teared up with a smile. "You are such a godsend in my Joey's life and mine too. I can't wait to see what the future holds for the two of you." she said with a wink in regards to Lee's upcoming proposal and then hugged him.

"Dr. Pace! A word??" Britt barked from the hall, making Lee cringe.

"What fresh hell awaits me now?" he mumbled as he closed his eyes, making Maggie laugh, for she knew very well how Britt could be.

"It was a great pleasure to meet you Lee. I am sure we will be seeing much more of each other in the near future." Spinelli said with telling eyes as he smiled and extended his hand out to shake Lee's. In the exchange, Lee felt something slip into his palm.

"You too. Drive safe." Lee replied, discreetly placing his hand in his pocket with what felt like a folded piece of paper inside of it.

"What in the hell were you thinking??" Britt scolded as Lee approached her, rolling his eyes. "Interfering with a vital procedure of a patient, which that's what she is, no matter how bad you can't stand Liz. Her condition is critical and every second counts that you took away. Do you know how bad that makes you look?? Are you trying to get fired?? I told you to go home!"

"Why don't YOU go home miss righteous??"

"You're telling me to leave?? This is MY hospital??" Britt intensely reminded him, astonished by his audacious attitude.

The corner of Lee's lip curled up into a smirk as his eyes laughed at what stood in her shadow.

"I would tend to beg the differ on that."

Britt spun around to the stench of old spice cologne and the one sided grin of Cyrus Renault as he leered at her.

"Do we have a problem here... Doctor...Westbourne? If anything makes anyone look bad, it is the way you speak to the employees. I can't say that I would blame Dr. Pace for being defensive, or any other employee for that matter that has to endure the displeasure of your arrogance."

"Are...are you serious right now?? Did you not just hear how he spoke to me? I am his superior!"

"And I am yours, which seems to be reminded to you. Also I think you need reminded of the fact that there are many many doctors and nurses here quite qualified for your position...such as, well..the good doctor Pace here yes? Don't you think so....Lee? If I may call you that? What do you say in stepping up your game?"

"Dr. Pace." Lee bluntly said. "Would seem the proper term...And though I appreciate your faith in my capabilities...I am not interested."

"Excuse me???! You can't just give my job to someone else. It has to be voted on by the board!" Britt reeled.

"Oh I assure you the board would...easily...be swayed in such a fresh new direction. I like you Lee and the offer stands if you change your mind. I could use someone like you that knows how things should be...handled. You should be careful Dr. Westbourne. You don't want to end up like Ms. Webber."

Cyrus went to leave, patting Lee on the shoulder as he walked past him and then snapped his fingers and spun back around.

"Oh...fired...that is....and Lee, I hope Ms. March is doing better." he said and grinned, then went on his way.

Britt's eyes gaped at Lee. "Did you hear that?? He just threatened me! Ok, I don't even care about before right now, Lee, you HAVE to listen to me. When Cyrus says he likes someone, it means he wants something from them. God only knows what he could want from you but you cannot accept his offer, and no it's not because I don't want to lose my job. And...I know I told you to leave..but...do you think you could stay...I mean...you don't think it's odd that he's creeping around here at night?? Right after Liz was brought in?"

"I'll do it for Jo...but I'm only staying until my shift is over and then you're on your own. I'm going to go find Orlando." Lee firmly stated, completely ignoring all that Britt had just said.

He heard her though and thought about it on his way to fill in his best friend who had a full night's shift ahead of him and would be there with Britt to keep an eye on things. Of course though, things didn't work out as he had wanted them too when he was paged to the ER for a head trauma patient that had been brought in while he was in the middle of relaying the night's events to Orlando over coffee.

"Here we go again." Lee deeply sighed and reluctantly got up to leave.

Orlando stopped him by gently taking his arm.

"Hey man. You did nothing wrong. Liz got exactly what she deserved so don't wallow in thinking you're a bad person, because then that makes me and all the many others that feel the same way about her a bad person too for agreeing with you. We protect each other, always have, always will, even when we want of beat the hell out of each other."

"Thanks wingman, for always having my back from day one. Later Lando." Lee smiled, patted his his bff's arm, then rushed off, texting you as he did so to say he may be late.

11 pm rolled around, three hours past the time Lee shift was supposed to have ended. The patient he treated had been in a terrible car accident and didn't make it, despite Lee's best efforts and it was deja vous all over again, reminding him of when he treated a supposable Jason. Everything was lining up for Lee in helping him make a long thought out decision. Signs he told himself, just like you would.

Lee rubbed his weary eyes and yawned as he made his way back to his office to gather his stuff and once again change his shirt, for he got blood on it, then he went looking for Orlando to say goodnight. Still, he had no text from you and he was now becoming highly anxious to get home, more so than he had been all night. He then called you after a failed attempt to locate Orlando, but your phone went straight to voicemail which told him it was either off or dead. Something didn't sit right with Lee about it, for he knew you wouldn't just ignore him and make him worry, which now only made him worry more.

On his way through the parking lot, being drenched in rain as he grieved the loss of yet another patient under his care, he stopped at the window of his truck door and stared at his reflection, wondering who in the hell he was even looking at when suddenly he heard the repetitive caws of a crow in patterns of three. He turned to see the blackbird sitting up on a light pole, peering down at him. Was he grieving too? Over the loss of his feathered friend or mate? Or was he warning of something wicked this way to come?

Lee immediately hopped in his truck, peeling out as he sped off into the night, making it back to the lake house in a fraction of his usual time to see it completely dark.

"Jo!" he shouted as he got out and slammed his door, then raced up to the house.

The sound of his yell and the bang of the truck door startled you awake from your medicated state that was beginning to wear off, although you still felt foggy due to the earlier wine consumption.

"Lee??" you mumbled as you clumsily pushed your way up into a sitting position.

"Yeah baby, it's me." he panted and dropped his briefcase to rush over to you.

He knelt down, hugged you tight, then took your sleepy face into his hands and sweetly smiled as he studied your dilated eyes.

"Hey sweetheart, what's going on? You ok?"

"Mmm hmm. I..was just taking a nap."

Lee glanced over at the glass and almost empty wine bottle sitting on the coffee table, then he looked back at you.

"Baby, it's almost midnight. You took a 12 hour nap?? I texted you at noon and you didn't reply until a few hours later, saying you were sleeping, remember? And I haven't heard from you the rest of the day and night. I tried calling but...babe, you worried the hell out of me."

"Oh yeah, sorry..my phone...it's dead." you explained as you gazed at it laying on the floor beside his knees. "I was going to charge it but...I fell back asleep I guess."

"Jo...look at me. What did you take? besides a bottle of wine?"

"Huh? Oh..umm...that." you giggled. "I felt anxious and didn't want to have an attack while I was alone so I...I took one of my pills."

"With wine??? Jo..."

"I know, I know. Stupid. I just...you were gone...and you left so fast without even saying...you love me and you...you haven't touched me in days and I felt so alone even when you were here...and...and..."

You covered your face and began to sob.

"Oh god, come here, come here." Lee whispered and pulled you close, cradling your head under his chin. "I'm so sorry baby, I'm sooo sorry. I'm here now, I'm here shhhhh."

Lee rocked you for a few moments, feeling incredibly guilty and he knew he was going to have to explain. All of it. But right then was not the time, nor was it the time to tell you about Liz and your mom.

"Lee." you sniffled and pulled back as he glided the back of his fingers over your tears. "You're soaked and freezing and...weren't you supposed to be off hours ago?"

"Yeah, it's pouring and my truck's heater took a shit and...there was a last minute emergency I had to deal with at the hospital. I tried to call you to let you know."

"Uggh...I'm so sorry I scared you. I can't believe how stupid I was to do this."

"Hey, you're not stupid. I understand. I really do Jo. This is all my fault and..."

"Like hell it is. You didn't make me drink all that wine or take that pill."

"Alright. We will just agree to disagree for now. Let me get dried off and make you some food. I was going to bring home a pizza but I just needed to get back here to make sure you were ok. How about a movie too?"

"Sure...how about a spooooky one? The night is perfect for it yes? I see you have The Shining on DVD.......REDRUM!!" you said in your best Danny Torrence voice.

"Ummm how bout NO." Lee chuckled. "Really not in the mood for all that blood. Let's compromise and find one that's both funny and scary?....and hey....my girl....I...love....you...so much."

Your breath was stolen, allowing a squeak of a whimper to escape your lips as he took your mouth fully into to his. Running your fingers up through his dripping locks, you returned his passionate kiss, truly, madly and deeply.

"You know." you said, breathing heavily over his perked lips. "Food and a movie can wait so I can help you get out of these wet clothes."

"Is that so?" Lee murmured over your lips with a curled smirk as his growing member below told him he wasn't backing out of it this time.

"It is." you simply said and grabbed the remote to the stereo, turned on the music, then tossed it back on the coffee table and grinned at him.

"Ohhhh I am soooo fucked."

"That you are."

Lee laughed that hearty laugh he always did, the same one you heard him do in the video with Liz and then you began to unbutton his shirt as he knelt between your legs, his sapphire eyes dilating as he faded into you. And ironically...that song came on.

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Once his shirt was off and so was yours, you wrapped your legs around his waist and he stood up with you attached to him like a koala baby, then he took you to the fireplace and gently laid you onto the rug in front of it. Once again, kneeling between your legs, Lee yanked your leggings clean off with one swipe and tossed them aside as you both laughed.

His eyes gazed at your glowing body of fire light, stroking his palm over your bare stomach in a most sensual way that made your back arch and your hips rock up.

"My god...you're so beautiful Miss Massachusetts."

Lee bent his arm under and around the back of your thigh and began kissing the inner side, starting at your knee and working his way down to your greatly aroused bud. The shock of his warm tongue gliding over it sent your fingers to his dripping hair, grabbing fistfuls of it as you bellowed out his name.

He quickly stood up and fought with his belt buckle until his pants were at his ankles and his girthy cock pointed right at you.

"I can't do this foreplay. It's been days." Lee panted out and urgently laid upon you, devouring your mouth as he guided himself into you.

Gasping at the pleasureful thrust, your nails tore a deep trail up his sculpted back.

"Gahhh!" he grunted and smiled as he filled your extremely slick walls, then he began slowly pumping you with a slight sway of his hips.

Lee was the one who was beautiful. His damp straggly hair dangling down his forehead, the fire's light glowing over his rain dampened skin and radiating off of his face. It was a vision that would forever be etched in your mind.

Your palms laid flat on his chest and they soon glided down his stomach where they stopped as you diligently viewed him slide in and out of you. He was so gentle, so loving in his movements. Everything was perfect as you both faded into each other.

"I love you." he whispered. "Forever."

Your hand went to his cheek. "I love you forever."

Lee's tender thrusts were now deep and grinding which curled his lengthy cock upwards, drawing you closer to climax as it neared your sweet spot and you knew he was holding back for you, for it was written all over his strained face and grunts that he was ready to explode like a grand finale of fireworks.

"I'm so close." he panted over your mouth, his eyes fixated in yours as his pace slowed.

"Now baby now...come with me. Let me feel you. I need to feel you."

Your words sent him spiraling into a shaking, jerking and paralyzing release as it did you and every pulse of him was felt by you as he felt yours while you clung to one another, your gasping and moaning breaths breathing into the other's mouth.

"My god, did... that... just happen?" Lee stammered. "Or am I dreaming?"

"It certainly was a dream of mine for the past how many days."

"Oh god baby...it was for me too. I..I am so damn sorry. I can explain all that."

"Not now. I just want to lay here by the fire in your arms for the rest of the night, no talking. Just hold me...please. I need you to hold me." you said and locked lips with him.

"CAW CAW CAW!!!!" a crow called from outside the window.

Lee's head whipped around, his mouth and eyes both gaping at the window that only showed his own reflection.

"Well that's odd. A blackbird singing in the dead of night. Don't crows or ravens usually make their ruckus during the daylight hours? Mostly in the morning when you're trying to freaking sleep?" you giggled.

Lee didn't even hear you as his eyes remained frozen on the window.

"Three times." he mumbled in a whispered tone.

"Lee?? Baby, what's wrong?"

"Huh??" he gasped and turned back to you.

"Ummm, the...crow? Why are you so freaked out?"

"Oh...who me? Nahhh...it just startled me, that's all. It'll take more than some little blackbird to scare me. Come here. Let me hold you."

Lee snuggled you as you laid upon his chest just under his chin while his eyes once again fixated on the window without a single blink. The feeling was back in the pit of his stomach that he felt earlier that night when the other bird first hit the window. The feeling that something bad was going to happen.

The soft repetitive sound of beeping could be heard on the EVS monitor in the darkened room in the wee hours of the morning where a stabilized Elizabeth soundly slept after her successful surgery hours prior.... but she wasn't alone.

Her eyes happened to slit open to a blurred vision of a figure standing beside her. Thinking she was dreaming, she blinked a few times and then the faceless image became clear.

"You...why are you here?" she whispered in a grumbly voice, still very groggy from the anesthesia. "Where am I? What are you doing?"

"Hush now Lizzie. Just finishing up your overdue dose of medicine. It's time to sleep now." the man wearing a doctor's white coat told her as he injected something into her IV.

He then stood over her, watching her as her eyes closed for the last time. Within minutes, the only sound that was then heard was that of a flatline as an illuminated horizontal bar flowed across the screen.

The faceless man exited and as he disappeared into the halls, the next sounds were of a loud buzzer and an echoed PA system.

"CODE BLUE."

@redeemer46

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