Begins Fall 2010. My take on Elizabeth going to visit Sarah in Palo Alto after Aiden's kidnapping. A little mystery on how I would have brought Elizabeth back onto the canvas and how it would shake up everything.


Part 1 Prompt - If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over? ~ John Wooden
Part 2 Prompt - If you haven't forgiven yourself something, how can you forgive others? - Dolores Huerta
Part 3 Prompt - The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary - unknown
Part 4 Prompt - "There are some who, if a cat accidentally comes into the room, though they neither see it nor are told of it, will presently be in a sweat." - Increase Mather
Part 5 Prompt - Good N' Plenty
Part 6 Prompt - Money frees you from doing things you dislike. Since I dislike doing nearly everything, money is handy. - Groucho Marx
Part 7 Prompt - "A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you, the less you know." Diane Arbus
Part 8 Prompt - "You think I make a bitchy wife? I'd make an even bitchier ex-wife."
Part 9 Prompt - "Life is not dated merely by years. Events are sometimes the best calendars." Benjamin Disraeli
Part 10 Prompt - In peace there's nothing so becomes a man as modest stillness and humility. - William Shakespeare
Part 11 Prompt - "I've lived those seven days a thousand times." from Seven Days by Kenny Chesney
Part 12 Prompt - Souvenir
Part 13 Prompt - Heaven is the place where everything that is not music is silence
Part 14 Prompt - When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt
Part 15 Prompt - What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Part 16 Prompt - It's not easy taking my problems one at a time when they refuse to get in line. ~Ashleigh Brilliant
Part 17 Prompt - The truth will set you free but first it will make you miserable. ~ Jamie Buckingham
Part 18 Prompt - "The way to love anything is to realize that it might be lost." G.K. Chesterton
Part 19 Prompt - Breakout
Part 20 Prompt - You and tequila make me crazy. You and Tequila by Kenny Chesney
Part 21 Prompt - Key
Part 22 Prompt - Love isn't brains, children, it's blood -- blood screaming inside you to work its will. (BTVS)
Part 23 Prompt - It is foolish to tear one's hair in grief, as though sorrow would be made less by baldness. ~ Cicero
Part 24 Prompt - Pride
Part 25 Prompt - I don't remember life before you.
Part 26 Prompt - Don't give up what you want most, for what you want at the moment. ~Unknown
Part 27 Prompt - you stumble, make it part of the dance. ~Unknown
Part 28 Prompt - A bend in the road is not the end of the road... unless you fail to make the turn. ~ Author Unknown
Part 29 Prompt - Don't Stop Believing
Part 30 Prompt - Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast (Oscar Wilde)
Part 31 Prompt - "Down boy!"
Part 32 Prompt - Spring
Part 33 Prompt - Respect
Part 34 Prompt - Triumph is just "umph" added to try. God's Little Instruction Book for Students
Part 35 Prompt - Battle
Part 36 Prompt - Tangle
Part 37 Prompt - Blue Moon
Part 38 Prompt - short term pain for long term gain
Part 39 Prompt - Wayward
Part 40 Prompt - Unify
Part 1
Prompt - If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over? ~ John Wooden

Steven looked up when the door opened, his hand poised to save his work and close the laptop, but relaxed when he saw the new arrival was Epiphany. She didn't look harried, and she certainly wouldn't look for him in person if he was needed back on the job; she would have paged him. She looked like she was on her break, just as he was, and he went back to pecking away at the tiny keyboard. After a few minutes longer, he toggled the cursor over and pressed the send button. Then he closed his laptop and leaned back, stretching his arms over his head.

"Another e-mail to Elizabeth?" Epiphany asked, uncharacteristically breaking the silence. She normally didn't like to ask other people questions because she felt it invited people to pry into her personal life, and she didn't like that. But the chief of staff knew the tough-edged nurse had a bit of a soft spot for his sister, even though the older woman would deny it. Since there was nobody else in the break room at the moment, she probably felt she could get away with asking the question.

"Yes," he nodded, taking off his glasses and tucking them into his pocket. "I miss talking to her on the phone, but with the three hour time difference, my schedule, and Aiden's colic, it's hard to coordinate a time to talk. So we make due."

"That poor baby is still fussy?" the nurse asked with a soft tsk and a shake of her head. "I suppose it's a good thing your sister is there to help Elizabeth out. Colic is tough, but add in trying to take care of two other children..."

"I know," Steven agreed. "I took a chance and tried calling last week, but I only got to talk to Sarah. She said that Aiden was asleep and she didn't want to wake Elizabeth since she'd finally gotten a chance to rest."

"She given any indication of when she's going to come back?" Epiphany wondered.

"I just asked her," he answered. "I'm trying to balance being the chief of staff and her brother. After the grief she got for her relationship with Nikolas and then Aiden's kidnapping, I don't want to rush her to come back. I...I really don't want to see her end up in Shadybrook again. But I need to ask so I can let you know when you can add her back into the rotation."

"Well, I won't deny I miss her," the older nurse admitted. "She's a good nurse and several doctors have missed having her available for surgeries. But I agree; that girl needs some rest. She's had a rough couple of years and after going through a third kidnapping of one of her babies...I'd rather she make sure she's ready to come back."

"Me too," the doctor said as he glanced down at his watch and knew he needed to get back to work. "'Though I selfishly hope it's soon. I miss seeing her and the boys."

"Maybe you should take some vacation time and go out and see your sisters," Epiphany suggested, with a pointed look.

"I'll have to think about that," he said as he stood and picked up his laptop. "It would be nice to see them."




Jason stepped off the elevator and rubbed at his temple, trying to ignore the throb behind his eyes as he listened to the woman beside him. Brenda Barrett never stopped talking about her upcoming neurology appointment - she wanted to make sure she didn't end up with her mother's condition and was vigilant about check-ups - and her voice was grating on his nerves. Of course, part of that was due to the tension radiating off from the other woman beside him. Sam was not happy that he'd flown to Rome after Brenda's manager called, and she was even less happy that he'd brought his ex-wife back to Port Charles with him.

While Sam claimed to understand that his honor wouldn't let him turn his back on someone who needed him, she was behaving erratically. Showing up at his house wearing a fancy dress, constantly inviting him over to her place instead of staying at his penthouse like she used to, and always coming with him whenever he had something he needed to do, especially if it involved Brenda. She claimed to be busy, she claimed to stop by to see Spinelli to talk about a case, but then she always stayed at his side. He had done his best to assure her that he loved her and that his time with Brenda was simply to ensure that his flighty ex-wife didn't end up over her head in trouble that she would ignore until it was too late, but it didn't seem to soothe Sam.

He would need to do something special for her to make her understand. But for now, he just wanted to get Brenda to her appointment and then get her back to the penthouse. He didn't like having her out and about in Port Charles; exposed to an enemy he didn't know anything about. He didn't feel he could protect her properly against a faceless enemy, which was why he had personally accompanied her to her appointment today instead of sending her with a guard.

As the three of them walked towards the nurses' station to check in, he saw Elizabeth's brother going over a chart. Jason rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably, glad that at least Elizabeth wouldn't be at the hospital. He'd heard she'd gone out of town after getting her baby back, to recover from the birth and to recover from the trauma of once again having a child taken from her. He didn't know how she would react, if she showed any reaction at all, to Brenda being back, but he also knew that Sam would be even more on edge if the petite nurse was on duty today.

"Hi," Brenda said cheerfully when Epiphany looked up at their approach. "I'm here for my appointment with Dr. Drake."

When Epiphany looked at her questioningly Jason supplied, "Brenda Barrett."

The nurse nodded and picked up the phone to call and the group waited. Jason shifted on his feet when he saw Dr. Webber look at him appraisingly and then turn away with a sneer.

"Dr. Webber, please call extension two-one-five. Dr. Webber, extension two-one-five."

The doctor lifted his head from his chart at the page over the hospital's PA system, and then reached for the phone while Epiphany spoke. "Dr. Drake will be with you soon. Please have a seat in the waiting area."




Steven was glad that he'd received a page, and hoped whatever his secretary was calling about took him away from the nurses' station. It angered him to see Jason Morgan stroll in with the woman who had done so much to hurt Elizabeth and her children and act so casually about it. He didn't like to see his sister suffering, and he knew that she had done so at the hands of both Sam McCall and Jason Morgan. For that reason alone, he was glad she was in California with Sarah.

After Elizabeth's disastrous joint therapy session with Nikolas and Lucky in Shadybrook, Steven had agreed to Elizabeth's request that she be assigned a different doctor other than Lainey Winters. She had been seeing a doctor not associated with General Hospital, and not personally connected to anything in Elizabeth's past or the people she'd been involved with, and there had been some progress. There was still a ways to go, but she had been dealing with the abandonment issues she had that stemmed back to when their parents left her in Colorado, but sent Sarah to come live with their grandmother. It was only because of the progress she was making that he agreed with Nikolas' suggestion that Elizabeth go visit Sarah after Aiden's recovery. He thought his sister was strong enough to face Sarah now, and maybe with Elizabeth's continued treatment - he'd gotten the name of a very good therapist out in Palo Alto - the sisters would be able to deal with some of the issues in their past and it would help his youngest sister.

"This is Dr. Webber," he said when his secretary answered.

"Dr. Webber, a sheriff in Washington called and needs to speak to you," she told him before he could even ask why she'd paged him. "He said it was urgent that you get back to him right away. I have his number."

Steven hastily grabbed a pen and a message pad and scribbled down the number she gave him and then hung up the phone after she reiterated that the sheriff said it was very urgent that Steven call as soon as possible. He frowned, trying to think what could possibly be going on, but lifted the phone and dialed the number. Epiphany glanced at him curiously, but continued to make notations in patient charts.

He saw Patrick come down the hall and greet Brenda Barrett, so he missed the greeting of the person that answered the phone until he heard a repeated hello?.

"Yes," he hastily drew his attention back to the phone call. "This is Doctor Steven Webber. My office said that someone called asking to speak to me."

"Yes, Dr. Webber," a man replied. "That was me. I'm Sheriff Adams from Jefferson County in Washington state. I'm calling in regards to your nephew Cameron Webber."

Steven frowned deeply. "What? Cameron? I don't understand. My nephew is in California with his mother and aunt."

"I have a little boy that was found by some hikers in Olympic National Park and Forest; he says his name is Cameron Steven Webber and his Uncle Steven Webber works at General Hospital in Port Charles, New York," the sheriff stated. "About three foot six; short, curly brown hair, brown eyes. He has a café-au-late birthmark near his navel."

Swallowing heavily he managed to say, "That-that sounds like him. Do...do you have a picture?"

"Would you prefer a fax or an e-mail?" Sheriff Adams asked.

"E-mail," he replied and then gave the man his address. Opening up his laptop he asked, "How is this even possible? My sister and her children are visiting my other sister in California. How did he end up in Washington?"

"I don't know," the other man sighed. "We've tried to ask him what happened, but most of what he says doesn't make sense. Maybe you can understand and fill in the story behind the words. Once we finally were able to get his full name and understand he was telling us about a relative in New York, we tracked you down and called. The e-mail's been sent."

Steven moved the cursor and clicked on the send/receive button, too impatient to wait for the system to automatically search for new e-mails. A chime sounded softly and he clicked on the message, closing his eyes as a skinnier and scared Cameron looked at him from the computer screen.

"It's him," he said softly. "That's Cameron. Can I speak to him?"

"CPS has him at the moment, but I can contact the caseworker and have her call you so you can speak to your nephew," the sheriff told him. "You said his mother is in California? Is it possible she and your other sister came up Washington for a little vacation and something's happened to the family?"

"No," he shook his head. "My sister just had a baby not that long ago. I doubt they decided to take a trip with a newborn. I've been in contact with my sisters and they didn't say anything to me about a trip. As far as I knew they were still in California."

He was distracted by the computer screen and said, "Hold on a minute. My sister just sent me an e-mail."

Quickly clicking on it he scanned through it, then slowed down and read it again from the beginning. When he got to the end, he shook his head and read through it once more, but it still didn't make any sense.

"Dr. Webber?"

"'Just got back from the zoo with Cam and Jake,'" he read softly under his breath. "'Sarah watched Aiden so I could spend a few hours with the boys.' That doesn't make sense. My sister said she just got back from the zoo with her two older boys. Jake and Cameron. Sheriff, can you do something for me? My nephew, in addition to the birthmark on his stomach, has a small indentation on the back of his left ear. Not a hole all the way through the cartilage, but a small indentation on the upper portion of the back of his left ear. Could you find out if the boy that you've got there has that?"

There was some shuffling in the background and he answered, "Sure, let me call the caseworker and have her check. I'm gonna put you on hold."

"Steven?"

He looked up to see Patrick standing on the other side of the desk, looking at him with concern. "What's going on?" his colleague asked.

"I don't know," he shook his head, trying not to look at Jason Morgan who was standing behind Patrick not hiding the fact that he was watching him. "Some sheriff in Washington called and said that Cameron was found in Olympic National Park, but I just got an e-mail from Elizabeth saying that she and Cameron and Jake just got back from the zoo. Something doesn't make sense."

"Dr. Webber?" Sheriff Adams' voice was suddenly back in his ear.

"Yes," he said anxiously.

"I called Ms. Madison, the caseworker who has the little boy. He has the indentation on the back of his ear. She's bringing him down to the station. We'll call you as soon as they get here."

"Thank you," Steven said numbly. "I...I'm going to look into a flight out there. I don't know what's going on, but I'm going to find out."

"Steven?" Patrick asked, ignoring his patient behind him. "What's going on? What happened?"

"I don't know," he shook his head, closing his laptop. "I don't know. Cameron was found in Washington state, but I just got an e-mail from Elizabeth saying she, Jake and Cameron just got back from the zoo. Something...something isn't right, but I'm going to find out what's happening. Which means I need to get to Washington."

"If...if there's anything you need," the other doctor said. "Please let me know. Elizabeth is my friend."

The chief of staff couldn't help looking at Jason as he said, "I know, Patrick, and I appreciate it. If there's anything, I'll let you know."

Then he walked away; he had a flight to purchase.

Part 2
Prompt - If you haven't forgiven yourself something, how can you forgive others? - Dolores Huerta

"Steven."

He lifted his head at the knock, and the only description Patrick could come up with for the look on his face was shell shocked. Stepping into the office and shutting the door behind him he asked, "What's wrong?"

"I talked with Cam," his colleague said. "While I was getting a flight out to Washington and figuring out where I needed to go, the sheriff called back because Cam was at the station."

"What did he say?" the surgeon asked as he sat down in the visitor's chair in front of the desk. "How did he end up in Washington?"

"The mean lady from Uncle Nikolas' house."

Frowning he tilted his head, "What?"

"The mean lady from Uncle Nikolas' house was waiting at Aunt Sarah's house," his friend's brother repeated. "Mommy got scared and upset and the mean lady took Aiden, the weird guy took Jake, and then the mean lady's men took Mommy and him."

Patrick let out a breath and then cautiously ventured, "Do...do you think he means Helena?"

The other man sighed and scrubbed his hands over his face. "It's the only thing I can think of. I've heard the stories of Helena Cassadine, I know what Elizabeth has told me about her past with the family and the crazy, old woman...I guess she even tried to kidnap Nikolas' oldest child before. She's apparently obsessed with raising the next generation of Cassadines to be noble and ruthless like her."

"So she takes Elizabeth's baby to raise it without her or Nikolas stopping her," he filled in. "But how did she know Sarah?"

"I don't know," Steven shook his head. "She could have just shown up there and threatened her. Helena supposedly has spies everywhere so she knows what's going on. She could have heard Nikolas was sending Elizabeth and the boys out to see Sarah and arrived before Elizabeth."

"So she wasn't involved in the kidnapping," the surgeon stated. When the older man flinched slightly he asked, "Or do you think she was?"

"I...I don't know," he said on a sigh. "Cam said that Aunt Sarah argued with the mean lady, said not to hurt her son, that she was doing what she wanted. The thing is...Sarah doesn't have a child. I...I've kept in contact with her and she's never mentioned a child. I've even visited with her and there wasn't a kid. I'm not saying Cam's a liar, but he's a little boy who just went through a horrible trauma."

"But you said you've received e-mails from Elizabeth about her and the boys and yet Cameron was found two states away," Patrick pointed out, leaning forward and clasping his hands between his knees.

"Yeah," the chief of staff replied heavily. "Yeah. That's the thing I keep thinking of. If Helena was waiting for Elizabeth and the boys when they arrived, then all these e-mails I've gotten haven't been from Elizabeth, but from Sarah. And...when I've talked to Sarah...Elizabeth hasn't been there. So either Sarah was threatened and she really and truly believed it and hasn't mentioned a word, but has done all of this to protect herself..."

"Or Sarah went along with the kidnapping and she's been doing all of this to keep you from finding out," the dark-haired man said. "It's not something you want to believe about your sister."

"No," Steven admitted. "But...but Sarah and Elizabeth have had a contentious relationship. I...I was a bit leery at first when Nikolas suggested Elizabeth go out there to visit, but then I talked with both of them and with Elizabeth's therapy I thought maybe it would be a good thing. Now, suddenly, I feel horrible."

"Steven, you couldn't have known what would happen," he said.

Twisting in his chair and facing away his friend said, "Maybe I was too blind to the situation and Sarah just lied from the beginning. Maybe I should have taken some time off and gone out there with him. And...and what about Nikolas?"

"What about Nikolas?" the surgeon asked. His eyes widened and he continued, "Do you mean...did he know what his grandmother was going to do and that's why he suggested Elizabeth go out there?"

"Nikolas has lied to Elizabeth before," Steven said. "And this whole...relationship...I'm not placing the blame all on Nikolas, both of them participated...but Nikolas has been interested in Elizabeth before and he...he did some things that hurt Elizabeth in the past. I know she said they moved beyond that and they were friends, but the guy is a Cassadine. I've heard about his brain tumor and his erratic behavior. I've heard that Helena can poison people and control them...maybe he didn't even know. I...I don't know what's going on."

"Well, you're not going to get any answers sitting here," Patrick told him, bracing his elbows on his knees and resting his chin on his fists. "You need to go to Washington. You need to see Cameron, you need to talk to him...have a trained psychologist there to ask him questions. They can come at the questions sideways with methods that will help trigger his memory and not just be 'so what do you remember?' and maybe that will help you figure out what really happened."

"But do I tell Nikolas?" the other man wondered. "Call Sarah? Do I tell-"

He stopped abruptly and then said, "Do I tell Lucky?"

"No," he shook his head. "Not until you talk further with Cameron and figure out more of what's going on."

"But...but..."

Patrick understood what Elizabeth's brother wasn't saying and said, "Jason Morgan may have once been involved with Elizabeth, but after Jake's second kidnapping, he and Elizabeth said no contact. He...he's kept to that. He didn't come see her when she was in Shadybrook, he didn't see her when Aiden was kidnapped - even though he found Jake both times...he may have overheard your conversation, but Jason Morgan has moved on and Elizabeth is apparently in his past. He...he has no connection to Elizabeth and you have no obligation to tell him what's happening."

Steven looked down, but then nodded slowly and the surgeon realized his suspicions were probably correct. It wasn't really Lucky that Steven should be talking to about Jake. But both men were willing to go along with Patrick's lie, simply because it was easier to deal with at the moment.




Robin was in the kitchen when she heard someone knock on the front door. She didn't know where Maxie was, if her cousin was even home, so she wiped her hands and headed towards the door before Emma woke from her nap.

"The cheating jerk is here to see you," Maxie said snidely as the doctor entered the front room, walking over to the couch and flopping down on it to pointedly ignore Patrick.

Patrick turned and walked out the door and Robin looked at her cousin, then at Emma who was asleep in the portable crib. "Will you watch her?" she asked and Maxie barely acknowledged her with a wave of her wrist as she flipped through channels on the TV.

Stepping outside, she saw her estranged husband standing with his back to the house, his arms folded tightly across his chest and tension radiating off from him. Closing the door softly behind her, she waited for him to speak. No doubt it would be another groveling apology and plea for forgiveness; she just wasn't sure she was up for it today.

"I don't want to speak badly about your cousin," Patrick began in a tight, controlled voice that still showed his frustration. "I really don't want to fight with you; that isn't why I came over. But I am Emma's father and our daughter was in the room and I...I really do not appreciate Maxie making comments about me in front of her, even if Emma's asleep. Especially not considering her own past. I don't comment on her affair with Lucky Spencer, stealing drugs to supply his drug habit, hurting Elizabeth by sleeping in the bed that Elizabeth was working overtime to pay for, faking a pregnancy, lying about a miscarriage and being snide to our friend and co-worker every time she saw her. I don't do that to Maxie so I would really appreciate if she kept her mouth shut about our problems and didn't badmouth me in front of my daughter."

Everything he said was the truth, and what he was asking wasn't unreasonable, but Robin still prickled simply because she was still so hurt over finding out her husband had cheated on her and then kept it from her, even when Lisa began acting erratically and endangering Emma. "Is that what you came over to talk to me about?" she asked. "Maxie making comments that hurt your feelings?"

"No," he shook his head tightly, still not looking at her. "I came to talk to you about Elizabeth, so that you didn't hear it through the hospital grapevine when you went into work tomorrow."

Robin frowned at his back and asked, "What's going on? I thought Elizabeth was in California with her sister."

"That's what we all thought," he said, leaning forward as he braced his hands on the wooden railing of the porch. "But Steven got a phone call from a sheriff in Washington. Cameron had been found lost in a national park; nobody's sure how long he was alone or what happened to him."

"Oh my gosh," she breathed out, her hand coming up to cover her mouth. She took a step towards him. "What happened?"

"We don't know. Even what Steven could understand from Cameron doesn't make much sense. The mean lady from Uncle Nikolas' house took Aiden, the strange man took Jake and the mean lady's men took Elizabeth and Cam."

"But what about Sarah?" she asked, knowing how ruthless Helena Cassadine could be. That had to be who the little boy meant.

"She apparently was cooperating with Helena. To protect her child." Patrick stopped and shook his head, letting it hang down wearily. "Steven said that Sarah's never mentioned a child to him, he's visited her and never seen a baby or a kid so he doesn't know what Cam means. He doesn't know what's going on. He's been getting e-mails that are supposedly from Elizabeth, but according to Cameron, Helena was waiting for them when they arrived."

"Has anybody talked to Nikolas?" she asked. "Or Lucky?"

"Steven wants to go to Washington first and talk to Cameron," he said, glancing over at her. "Have a psychologist interview him. He doesn't think Nikolas would be involved in something like this with Helena, but he's being cautious. And nobody's seen Lucky around town for a while so nobody knows where he is."

"I could ask Uncle Mac," Robin offered.

"Maybe...maybe wait until we know more from Steven," her husband suggested. "I dropped him off at the airport before coming over here. Right now he just wants to see Cameron, hold him, talk to him, find out what's going on. He said he was going to call some old contact of his with the FBI. If Cameron was taken in California and ended up in Washington, it crosses state lines; the FBI needs to be called. He...he wants to handle this his way for right now, kinda keep it quiet until he knows more."

"Of course," the worried mother and friend nodded. "Of course. That makes sense."

He turned and said, "Thank you."

Closing his eyes and letting out a breath he said, "I didn't want to make you uncomfortable with me just showing up, but I wanted you to know. Elizabeth is our co-worker and she's been a friend. I...I'm worried about her. I...I visited her when she was in Shadybrook; it was hard to see her like that. I don't know what's happened to her, what Helena wants, who the strange man could be that has Jake, or...

"I really didn't want to go home and look at her house just around the corner," he admitted, his voice rough. "It's hard enough to go to the house knowing that you and Emma aren't there...that it's because of me. Not knowing if you'll ever come home. And even though Elizabeth has been gone, I would look at her house as I'd drive by and think about the boys playing with Emma, and her coming over for dinner and know that eventually she'd be back and be just around the corner again. Now..."

He trailed off and swallowed thickly. "I'm sorry...I'm sorry for everything, Robin. I just wanted you to know before you showed up at work tomorrow. I...I should let you go. Will-will you give Emma a kiss for me?"

"I will," she nodded immediately. "And...and thank you, Patrick, for telling me about Elizabeth. I wouldn't have wanted to hear it for the first time at the hospital. I won't say anything to Uncle Mac unless he brings it up 'cause he's heard something. And...and I'll talk to Maxie. You're right, you're Emma's father and nobody should talk bad about you in front of her. Our problems shouldn't affect her anymore than they have."

"Thank you," he said softly. "I... Goodbye, Robin."

Then he stepped off the porch and headed to his car. He hadn't made any excuses for what he'd done, he hadn't talked about Lisa and Robin hadn't thought about the other doctor, even when Patrick mentioned Shadybrook. He'd been apologetic, but hadn't begged her to come home. He was worried about their friend and came over here, knowing he might run into the hostile relatives Robin had surrounded herself with when she left their home to recover from all that had happened, simply to be kind to her. It was the first time she didn't feel pain and hatred when she'd looked at him, and she was sad that it took the news about Elizabeth and her children missing for that to happen.

Part 3
Prompt - The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary - unknown

"I'm going out," Jason announced as soon as they returned to his penthouse after Brenda's appointment. He looked at her and commanded, "You need to stay inside. If you need anything, tell the guards. It's important that you stay here."

Brenda looked at him like she wanted to argue, but instead just nodded her head. Jason flexed his fist at his side and then turned to go. As he reached for the door handle Sam said, "I'll come with you, Jason."

He turned to look back at her and said, "No. I need to take care of some things."

She looked at him searchingly, then glanced over at Brenda, as if deciding what to say in front of his ex-wife. He took advantage of her contemplation and opened the door, stepping back when Spinelli nearly tripped in over the doorway.

"Greetings, Stone Cold," the younger man said, then turned and greeted the two others in the room. Jason left, punching the button for the elevator and hoping it would still be at the floor since Spinelli had just arrived.

"Jason," Sam called out to him as he stepped on. She was obviously planning to go with him, but he shook his head and pushed the door closed button. He didn't want to talk to her right now. He didn't want to talk to anybody.

What he wanted was to tell Spinelli to start looking into how Cameron ended up in Washington and what might have happened with Elizabeth and her other children, but he didn't know anything specific to send the young man searching on. And more than that, he really didn't want to deal with the questions the hacker would ask. Or Sam's insecurities, or Brenda's relentless questioning that would happen at mentioning his interest in someone she didn't know. He was worried...about so many things and knew that the only way he could regain some control so he could focus and deal with the looming threats was to take a ride to clear his head.

As he reached the garage he headed straight to his bike and started the engine. Racing out of the garage he knew that he needed to get control. Too many lives hung in the balance right now, but he didn't know how he was supposed to hear that Elizabeth and her children might be in danger and not respond to it. He just didn't have anyone he could trust to look into the situation. So until he figured out what to do there, he could only hope that the scream of the wind would overpower the cacophony in his head.




By the time the plane landed, Steven was sure he had annoyed the people sitting around him. He'd been anxious and impatient, willing the plane to fly faster and bouncing his leg in an attempt to alleviate some of the stress that had gripped him. He stood as soon as the plane stopped at the gate and the fasten seatbelt sign was turned off; opening the overhead bin and grabbing his carryon bag, to become one of the first people off the airplane. He had the same barely concealed impatience at the car rental counter and by the time he got on the road to drive north from Seattle, he had to set the cruise control in order not to get a speeding ticket.

Finally, though, he arrived at the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department and met Sheriff Adams who then took him to Cameron. As soon as he saw his nephew, he dropped to his knees and engulfed the little boy in a hug, clinging to him as he fought back tears while Cam's soaked his shirt. He didn't know how this had happened, where his sister and other nephews were, but he was overwhelmingly relieved to have Cameron in his arms. They could start to get answers, they could start on a plan, and he could find out what had happened to his family.

Pulling back, he ran an assessing eye over his nephew and saw that apart from weight loss, there didn't seem to be any other physical injuries. He was sure there would be plenty of psychological issues to deal with, but he could at least begin to put some weight back on the growing boy and most of all, assure Cameron that he was with family now and that despite whatever had happened at Sarah's, he was safe with his Uncle Steven.

"Hi, Cam," he finally managed to say, his voice thick and choked with emotion. "I'm so glad to see you."

"Where's Mommy?" the young boy asked. "Where did they take Mommy, Uncle Steven?"

"I don't know, Cameron," he answered softly, keeping his voice even and calming. "But we will find that out. Someone's going to talk to you so we can find out what happened and work on getting your mom and brothers back."

"You...you won't send me away like Aunt Sarah?" Cameron asked, his voice trembling as his eyes became moist again.

"No," he promised, pulling the little boy close again. "I will never send you away. You're going to stay with me while we figure out what happened, and I will do everything I can to take care of you. So let's start with getting you something to eat, okay?"

"Pancakes?" the little boy asked hopefully looking up at him.

"You want pancakes for dinner?" Steven smiled and ruffled the curls that needed a trim. "We can do that. I just need to talk to the sheriff for a minute, and then we can go."

His nephew sat back down beside the social worker who had been with him since he arrived at the sheriff station and Steven walked across the room to where Sheriff Adams was waiting. "If I had any doubts about you," the older man began. "He put them to rest. That's the most we've seen him say in one go and certainly the most animated we've seen him since he arrived here."

"Thank you for taking care of him," the grateful uncle said, holding out his hand. "I've contacted some people I used to work with at the FBI and they're going to be helping on this case. They're sending a psychologist to talk to Cameron, to see if they can help him remember what happened."

"That's a good idea," the older man nodded. He tipped his head towards the door and Steven turned to see two agents walk in. "Maybe they can join you for dinner. If they ask him questions while you're eating, it will make him feel less like it's an interview and he might remember more."

"I hope so," he replied. "Right now, I want to keep him calm, but I want to find out what happened to my sister. I know the sooner we get answers, the sooner we can start looking for her and her boys."

"I hope you find them soon," Adams said, patting the younger man on the shoulder. "If there's anything we can do to help you, don't hesitate to ask."




Steven was exhausted as he stepped out of the bedroom and into the main room of the suite where the agents were waiting. Agent Holly Monroe was sitting to the side, going through papers which included pictures Cameron had drawn and notes from her interviews with the little boy. The middle-age woman had helped put Cameron at ease and had a way of directing the questions that never upset the preschooler, even when he couldn't remember certain details. But they prodded him to recall more memories.

She looked up at him as he passed and said, "Nightmares will be common for a while. You're doing a good job of handling them."

"I don't really feel like it," he shook his head as for the second night in a row Cameron had woken up screaming. "But thanks for saying it."

"It's only been a couple of days," she told him sympathetically. "With the questioning, it's bound to cause things to resurface. He'll be okay; it will just take some time."

"Steven."

He looked up at Adam who was signaling him to come over and joined his old friend from the Bureau in the sitting area. As he sat down, the other agent who had joined them once they reached California poured him a cup of coffee and handed it to him.

"Thanks," Steven said as he took a sip. Then he took a breath to fortify himself as he asked, "Did you find anything?"

"It appears you were right," Adam said. "Helena Cassadine was in contact with your sister. We've gone back through the surveillance footage in your sister's building. For the most part, the video cameras were avoided, or there are only partial images, but there is one clear shot of a woman matching pictures of Helena Cassadine entering Sarah's apartment shortly before she returns from the airport with Elizabeth and the boys."

"So Helena was waiting when Elizabeth arrived," he shook his head in dismay. He could only imagine how Elizabeth must have felt to arrive and see the old woman waiting. "And it matches what Cameron's told us."

"Yes," the other agent, Jack, nodded. "So it seems entirely plausible that she took Aiden Cassadine, and ordered the disposal of your sister and her oldest boy. But that still doesn't explain the strange man Cameron says took Jake. We've been through all the surveillance and the people going into and out of your sister's apartment have always been with Helena Cassadine. There have been no other men and none of the men match the description your nephew gave us. The guy could have known the placement of the cameras better and evaded them."

"Or done something to them," Steven said.

"There is that possibility as well," the agent conceded. "Generally we can tell when the time stamp of a video's been altered with, but there are some pretty sophisticated hackers who can fool the naked eye. We're going to send all the tapes to our best tech guys at Quantico and they'll hopefully be able to determine if they were tampered with."

"There's something you need to know," he said slowly, measuring out the words because he knew what would happen once he disclosed the truth. "My nephew's father isn't Lucky Spencer. Jake's father is Jason Morgan."

"Jason Morgan," Adam said softly, searching Steven's eyes for the truth. "From Port Charles. Known mob associate of Sonny Corinthos."

"Yes," he confirmed. "They've kept his paternity a secret because Jake's been taken before and they felt he would be safer if everyone believed Lucky Spencer was his father. But it's not a well-guarded secret, and it was disclosed in court that my sister slept with Jason around the time she got pregnant and there was question regarding Jake's parentage."

"So someone connected to Morgan, or more likely going after Morgan, figured it out and took the boy," Jack surmised.

"Yeah, it's possible," Steven said, facing the fear that had been growing in him ever since they realized that Cameron was talking about there being two different people at Sarah's apartment and Helena Cassadine only wanting Aiden. The fact that this strange man took Jake and said that it was what Elizabeth deserved for hurting the boy's father meant that someone went after Jake because of Jason Morgan.

"The man said he was taking Jake because Elizabeth hurt Jake's father. The fact that it was someone separate from Helena means that's not connected to the Spencer-Cassadine feud. She believes Lucky is Jake's father and she hates him because he's a Spencer." He scrubbed his hands over his face wearily.

"Then when we return to Port Charles, we'll talk to Morgan," Jack declared. "But for now, we need to focus on your sister Sarah. Are you sure you're up for this?"

He took a deep breath and then straightened his shoulders. "No, but that's because I'm not sure I'll ever be prepared to face that one of my sisters deliberately endangered the other. But I'll do this."

"Then let's go," Adam encouraged. "We'll be outside her door when you call her, she won't be able to escape."

"What about her son?" Steven asked. The Bureau had easily discovered the birth certificate of the nephew he'd never known about, and he didn't want the boy to get hurt in the process.

"Local PD and Child Services will be there as well," Adam told him. "We'll do everything we can to make sure your nephew isn't hurt."

Nodding his acceptance, he stood and said, "Then let's go find out what my sister knows."

Part 4
Prompt - "There are some who, if a cat accidentally comes into the room, though they neither see it nor are told of it, will presently be in a sweat." - Increase Mather

"So will you help me?" Jason asked as he gripped his phone tighter, feeling his anxiety rising as he waited.

After spending the past forty-eight hours worrying about what he'd overheard Elizabeth's brother say, he knew he couldn't continue to do nothing. But he also knew that he couldn't trust anyone in Port Charles or close to the situation to help him. While Spinelli had left messages for him telling him that Sam had filled him on what they'd overheard at the hospital and was offering his services, he just couldn't bring himself to ask the younger man for help. He was working with Sam, completely infatuated with Brenda and Jason couldn't forget how Spinelli had told Lulu the truth about Jake when the hacker should have kept his mouth shut.

He was avoiding going home and avoiding Sam's messages because he didn't want to talk to her about the possibility of Jake missing. She made no other mention about Elizabeth or her youngest son, and Jason just wasn't up for dealing with it. But that didn't mean his girlfriend wasn't persistent; she hung around the penthouse more than she usually did - something Brenda mentioned the one time she saw him when he came home to change - and she was stopping by the coffee shop and warehouse hoping to find him. The men couldn't understand why their boss was avoiding his girlfriend, but thankfully they were following his instructions and telling him of her approach so he could leave.

"Why doesn't one of your men there look into it?" the other man asked him. "Seems they would know more of the situation than I would down here on the island."

"Francis," he sighed heavily. "That's why I need you to look into it for me. Things...listen, it's hard to explain, but I don't want anyone here looking into it. I'm sure there will be suspicion on Spinelli and I'm just not up for any of the hassle or questions that people will give me."

"So you want me to look into Ms. Webber's sister, where her brother, Doctor Webber, has gone and what any law enforcement, particularly the FBI, is investigating regarding her disappearance and her children?" the guard clarified dubiously.

"Yes," he insisted. "I...I need to know what's going on and I doubt anyone will give me any information."

There was a pause and then finally the man said, "Jason, I don't understand this. I don't understand why you can't use the people there, and I don't understand why you're so interested in this given the stuff I've heard lately. But you're my boss and you're giving me an assignment, so I'll do my best. I'm assuming you want me to talk directly to you; no messages through other people, no information left in messages, just speak to you directly."

Jason swallowed in relief and nodded. "Yes, Francis. I appreciate this."

"Sure," the guard said. "I just hope some day you'll respect me enough to explain this to me, because I'm not sure I entirely like this."

He hung up before Jason could say anything, and as the enforcer pressed the button on his phone he couldn't help sighing as he thought to himself that he didn't like this either. He just wasn't sure what more he could do until he had more information.




"You ready?" Adam asked softly as they walked into the building. An agent was left in the lobby to make sure that the doorman didn't take it upon himself to call Sarah while they made their way up.

"Not really," Steven admitted. "Frankly, I'm torn between anger and wanting to barf. It's so hard for me to believe that my sister would do this, and yet, I can't discredit everything Cameron's told us. The story doesn't change, and Agent Monroe coaxes new information out of him all the time and...and there is too much terror and truth in his eyes whenever he talks about this."

His friend placed a hand on his shoulder gently and gave it an encouraging pat. "I know how hard this must be. But if we want to find your sister and your nephews-"

"Then I have to face this and do it," he finished. "Yeah. I know. And that's what I'm focusing on."

"Then make the call," the FBI agent said. "We'll take the rest from there."

Steven pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and pulled up Sarah's number. He pressed send and then waited. After a couple of rings he finally heard it picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hey Sarah," he said, infusing cheerfulness into his voice. "How are you guys doing?"

"Oh, not bad," she answered and he was amazed at how calm her voice was given the blatant lie he knew she was telling him. "We got the boys down for bed and I'm sitting up because Elizabeth fell asleep but I know Aiden will be waking up for his bottle soon and I wanted to let her sleep tonight."

"It's good that you're helping her out," he said, trying not to choke with anger on the words. "Guess where I am at the moment?"

"Getting off work," she guessed. "It's getting late out there."

"Actually," he said. "I'm standing right outside your building. I missed my sisters and my nephews and decided to come out and surprise you."

He paused and forced a laugh. "So...surprise."

Her voice was tight as she managed to say, "You're here? You're in California?"

"Yeah," he said. "I know Elizabeth is asleep, but I'm sure she won't mind being woken up for this."

"Steven...you really...you should have let us know." Sarah's voice was now holding some panic and desperation. "I don't have room."

"That's okay," he nodded at the agents around him. "I'll take the couch until I find a hotel room. Now listen, I'm tired of standing out here in the dark, so let me in."

"Steven-"

"Sarah," the older brother cut in, his forced congeniality gone. "Open the door, right now, or the police are going to bust it down."

She paused and he said, anger bleeding into his voice, "Do it now, Sarah!"

Surprisingly, the command worked and they heard the locks click and she began to crack the door open. The FBI agents didn't pause at all, they pushed the door open and forced her back and Steven followed behind them. Sarah looked around in panic and despair as they filed into her home. There were children's toys, but they weren't for little boys like Elizabeth's children; they were for an older boy and Steven knew they were for Sarah's son. There was no evidence that Elizabeth and the boys had ever been here and he felt anger bubble up inside him.

"There's just one boy in the back bedroom," an agent said, coming out after a sweep of the apartment had been completed. "No signs of anyone else."

"Why is that?" Steven demanded, glaring at Sarah. "Why aren't Elizabeth and the boys here? What did you do, Sarah?"

"Steven," she began, her voice full of pleading, her eyes holding desperation when she turned to look at him. "Steven, let me explain."

"I can't wait to hear it," he replied tightly, clenching his fists at his side. "Tell me exactly how you felt it was justified to turn our sister over to Helena Cassadine and whoever else? How could you?!"

"Steven," Jack said softly while Adam shook his head slightly. He knew he needed to let the FBI handle this, but the anger he felt after seeing his sister surprised him and he couldn't help the attack that rushed out.

"Steven," Sarah continued. "You have to understand. She threatened me and my..."

"Your son?" Agent Adam Quincy asked.

"You-you know?" she stammered at him.

"Yes, we found the birth certificate. We also have the information provided by Cameron Webber after he was found," his friend continued.

His sister looked surprised, and he wasn't sure if her look of relief that she then replaced it with was genuine or all an act. He wasn't sure if he could ever trust her again after this. "Cameron's okay? He's safe?"

"He was found," Steven corrected. "As for okay or safe...that's all a matter of perspective. Do you think your son would be okay after escaping someone he knew was supposed to kill him?"

Her blue eyes were large and moist as he said, "I didn't have a choice, Steven. You don't know what Helena Cassadine is capable of."

"Actually I do," he said, "because I've heard the stories and I've heard Elizabeth's first-hand accounts of dealing with her. But I also know that our sister would never sell you out just to save herself or her children. So I really don't want to hear your excuses. The FBI are going to arrest you and you had better tell them everything you know about what happened to Elizabeth and her children; because she's still missing, Sarah. Cameron was found but Aiden and Jake are still missing. Our sister has been missing for months and all you've done is lie to me and let the trail grow cold when we could have been out there searching for her and the boys."

"But my son," she protested. "What about my son?"

He said nothing and finally Agent Jack Van Buren said, "We have CPS with us, Miss Webber. They'll take your son."

"No," she shook her head vehemently. "You can't. Steven...Steven, you're his uncle. Can't you take him? If you've found Cameron, then you must have him...can't you take my son, too?"

He swallowed and then said, "I think it would be better, Sarah, especially for Cameron right now, if I focused only on him. If you're so worried about your son, then I suppose we could always call Lucky. After all, if you want Lucas Lorenzo Spencer the Third to be with family, then maybe it's time his father stepped up and helped out."




The ringing telephone pulled Patrick from his sleep and it only took a minute until his medical training kicked in and he was instantly awake and reaching for the device. Phone calls in the middle of the night often brought requests to come down the hospital to assist on a case, or handle a particularly difficult piece of surgery on a trauma victim. He hoped it was that and not something wrong with Emma that had prompted his estranged wife to call him.

"Hello."

"Patrick," Steven Webber's voice came through the line and the man sounded exhausted and worn down. "I'm sorry to be calling so late, but I really needed to talk to someone."

"No," he immediately shook his head and sat up, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. Now that he realized it wasn't Robin or the hospital calling, he was switching his mental focus once again. Steven needed a friend, and Patrick would always be there for Elizabeth and her family. "No, Steven, that's fine. What's going on? What have you found out about Cameron and Elizabeth and her other boys?"

There was a heavy sigh, and then the older man began to unburden himself. He laid out everything that had happened since Patrick dropped him off at the airport just a few short days ago. He talked about Cameron's condition, both physically and mentally, and he talked about what they had been able to figure out from the boy though careful questioning and the surgeon's heart broke for everyone involved. He could just imagine how hard it was for the concerned uncle to deal with the nightmares, and the worry and concern he had for his sister and other nephews.

Then he could only respond with a stunned 'no' when Steven then explained what Sarah Webber had done. His colleague and friend's anger and shock was evident through the tiny device Patrick held firmly against his ear. But when he explained why his sister had turned again Elizabeth and allowed Helena Cassadine into her home he shook his head and interrupted.

"Wait, wait, you mean..."

"Yes," Steven sighed. "She did this because Helena threatened her son, and also because Helena promised to help her. Her son has aplastic anemia, just like Lulu Spencer had as a child. I guess it's actually what brought Nikolas to Port Charles; he donated bone marrow because nobody else was a match. Helena said that she would leave Lucas alone if Sarah cooperated, and she would allow Elizabeth and the boys to be tested."

"Let me guess," Patrick said. "That didn't happen."

"No," the other man confirmed. "Helena didn't have any reason to help Sarah out once she had Elizabeth and the boys. But she said that she would be watching Sarah and Lucas and if Sarah told anyone what had really happened..."

The threat was left unsaid and Patrick could understand the other woman's initial fear, but it was quickly replaced by anger over the fact that weeks, almost months had gone by and she never said anything. Elizabeth and the boys had been missing and in danger all this time and Sarah Webber was perpetrating a lie and further endangering everyone all simply because she was afraid. After his own experience of keeping quiet about the danger Robin and Emma had been in from Lisa, he was having a hard time accepting it. He had simply been a coward and hadn't wanted his wife to know that he'd been unfaithful with an old girlfriend; instead, his family had been in danger from a mentally unbalanced woman. Sarah had done the same thing, and Patrick was too worried for his friend and her children to try to see her perspective and her efforts done to save her own child.

"So what happens now?" he asked.

"I have to focus on Cameron right now," Steven said. "I can't take Lucas, but I saw him, I gave him a brief exam. He is sick. With Sarah in custody, he...he needs family. Even if that family is Lucky Spencer. The FBI is going to be contacting Mac, but I can't remember seeing Lucky around town for a while. Not that I was really looking for him after the way that jerk treated Elizabeth, but I just don't remember seeing him."

"Well, I'm sure Mac knows what's happening and he'll give the FBI the information," Patrick told his friend encouragingly.

"I know," the other man said. "I'm just worried that Lucky won't even bother to come. According to Sarah, she told him she was pregnant and he wanted nothing to do with her or the baby. I guess...I guess I need someone else to deal with him because right now I can't be there, and I'm not sure I would trust myself around him even if I was."

"Then let me find out what Mac knows and I'll have a word with Lucky if I have to," Patrick said. "It's the least I can do for you."

Part 5
Prompt - Good N' Plenty

Of all the ridiculous schemes Patrick had seen in his life, this one took the prize for absolute sheer stupidity. Lucky Spencer was going around town with an atrociously bad, fake Irish accent while pretending to be an internationally known assassin, and didn't think that coming back to his home town where he worked as a cop might just expose his lie. After meeting his wife's parents, Patrick had thought the international spy and law enforcement community had some brains. But apparently that was only the WSB, not Interpol. This had to be one of the most ludicrous things he had ever witnessed.

And he really didn't feel bad for spoiling the whole plan. After all, Patrick had sat in an interrogation room and not blinked when he'd been raked over the coals by Agent Raynor of the FBI. He hadn't wet his pants when he'd been threatened and harassed by Anna Devane or Robert Scorpio. He wasn't about to back down from confronting Lucky Spencer and possibly incurring the wrath of some international agency. Not when Elizabeth and her family needed him to step in and do something.

"Me name is Ronan," Lucky drawled in a cringe-inducing Irish brogue. "I don't know who be this Lucky Spencer."

Mac could arrest him on assault, Patrick really didn't care. The doctor stepped closer, grabbed the lapels of the little punk's pleather jacket and shook him. Hard. Even going so far as to push him backwards and slam him into a wall.

"Hey," the red-headed Irish woman who had been hanging all over Lucky moments ago screeched at him and charged forward, grabbing at Patrick's arm. "Ye can't do that to him."

She must have looked over at Coleman and because her next words were the command, "Call the police."

"Yes, Coleman," the surgeon said. "Do that. I think it would be very helpful to have Lucky's boss here. After all, the FBI has surely contacted him by now looking for Lucky."

There was just a momentary flicker of confusion in the other man's eyes at the mention of the FBI, but then the cop quickly schooled it away and pretended like he didn't care. It just infuriated Patrick even more and he pulled Lucky towards him then shoved him back, hard, into the wall near the bar. Coleman didn't say anything, just smirked and crossed his arms over his chest, ignoring the woman who was now in his face demanding he do something.

"I don't know what you think you know," Lucky began.

"Oh, I don't think anything," Patrick clarified. "I know that you are Lucas Lorenzo Spencer, Junior and you are a sack of scum. If I didn't have surgery tomorrow morning and Mrs. Harrison's well-being wasn't on the line, I would punch your smug mouth and break every single one of your teeth. How dare you show up here and act like we're all just supposed to go along with the great Lucky Spencer's lies and not inconvenience you in any way. Do you have any idea what's going on?"

When the other man remained quiet the doctor leaned forward and growled, "Elizabeth and her children are missing. Well, actually I should say that Elizabeth and two of her children are missing. Cameron was found. Alone, in a national park, abandoned, starving, after he somehow escaped Helena Cassadine's henchmen who were ordered to kill him."

Disbelief flooded Lucky's eyes, but also concern and Patrick kept going. "Elizabeth and her boys were in for a rather nasty surprise when they showed up at her sister Sarah's place in California. Helana Cassadine and somebody else were waiting for them. Helana took Aiden, gave Jake to the other man and ordered her men to kill Elizabeth and Cameron. The only reason we know any of this is because Cameron somehow managed to escape. It certainly wasn't Sarah who let anyone know what was happening with her sister and nephews."

He shook his head scornfully and said, "Oh, no, she was part of the whole scheme. She willingly turned Elizabeth and her children over to Nikolas' crazy grandmother all to save her child."

The flicker of recognition that went through the other man's eyes absolutely infuriated Patrick. It was true. Sarah had told Lucky she was pregnant with his child and the bastard had turned his back on her and the baby. It was like when Maxie was claiming to be pregnant with his child. It didn't matter that Robin's cousin had been lying. Lucky's actions towards the young woman had been atrocious. He hadn't wanted anything to do with Maxie or their baby because he only wanted Elizabeth. He must have done the same thing to Elizabeth's sister. It only made his outrage and vile words towards Elizabeth for sleeping with Nikolas even more disgusting because the hypocritical piece of crap had cheated on Patrick's friend with her sister and fathered a child, but was going around acting as if he'd been horribly wronged while he was saintly and innocent.

"Yeah, that's right," he growled, leaning against Lucky and fighting against the temptation to bring his arm up to crush the punk's windpipe. "We found out about your son that you abandoned simply because he wasn't Elizabeth's.

"You are something else," the angry doctor continued on. "You went around telling everyone just how awful Elizabeth was for sleeping with your brother. You screamed at her, you called her names, you berated her and made her feel so awful she went to Shadybrook out of guilt and fear and desperation...you refused to see those two little boys who call you Daddy all because you were mad at Mommy. You acted like she was just below a serial killer for her actions and all the while...all the while, you were guilty of the exact same thing. You'd slept with Elizabeth's sister. You got her pregnant. And you abandoned your child. And you know what? Not once did Elizabeth mention that to anybody. While you were going all over town crying and whining and badmouthing Elizabeth, she never once, mentioned that you'd slept with her sister. She never called you names, she never told your sins to anyone who would listen."

He slammed Lucky into the wall one more time and then stepped back and looked at the cop with nothing but disgust and contempt. "You are pathetic. You crucified Elizabeth for doing nothing more than something you had already done, and it was your abandonment of your child that caused this whole thing. Sarah agreed to work with Helena Cassadine because your son has aplastic anemia. Same thing your sister had, apparently, that was cured only after she got a bone marrow transplant from your brother Nikolas. She went along with Helana in order to protect her son and also because she naively believed that Helena would actually let Elizabeth and her sons be tested as possible donors. I wonder why she didn't just call Lucas' father?

"Oh, that's right," he said with scorn dripping from his voice as he mockingly shook his head. "You apparently told her that she should get rid of the kid because you didn't want it and if she did have the child, well, don't expect you to be involved in its life. A desperate mother went for desperate measures...and now Elizabeth is missing and so are Jake and Aiden."

Patrick shook his head and flung his arms out, "But go ahead, Lucky, and pretend that this has nothing to do with you. That you really are Ronan whoever and that this is all just a case of mistaken identity. Don't bother checking in with Mac, and I'll be sure to tell Steven not to bother talking to you when he and Cameron return to town. Because after all, you're not really Lucky Spencer, right?"

He turned to throw some money down on the bar, even though he never actually purchased the drink he came in here intending to. He hadn't gotten the chance once he saw Lucky and the woman hanging all over him sitting at the bar acting as if nothing was wrong. Elizabeth was missing, her children were missing and in danger because of the crazy nut job woman who hated Lucky's family, and the only thing the jerk could do was stand there with wounded, wide eyes and act like he couldn't understand why Patrick was so upset with him.

"See you around, Coleman," he said. "But not as long as they're here."

Then he walked for the exit, but not so quickly that he didn't hear the bar owner say, "Well, they won't be here for long. Get your crap and get out of my place. I don't care what happens to you, but you're not welcome here anymore."




"You're a hard man to track down, Jason," Francis chastised when the enforcer finally got a moment to call the guard back. "Every time I call, it goes to voice mail. Then it takes forever for you to call back. I have to wonder why you even asked me to look into this stuff if you're not even going to call when I say I have information."

"Don't start on me, Francis," the other man said. "You have no idea what I'm dealing with."

"Yes," he corrected. "I actually do. See, while I was working on the task you gave me, I also started doing a little digging into what actually is going on in Port Charles. And I gotta tell you, I'm not that impressed. You ran off to go get Brenda who didn't even ask for your help, and now you're running around dealing with Carly who's pissed about the model being there because she was involved with her current husband and her ex-husband."

He took a breath and then said, "Jason, I guarded Carly when she first married Sonny. This was after you left town and were gone. And I gotta tell you, none of the guards particularly liked her. We weren't impressed with her when she was involved in your life, especially when she took it upon herself to start that strike all because Edward Quartermaine scared her and made her angry. She's rude, dismissive, interfering, treats the guards like they're her personal grunts and...should I go on?"

"No," Jason ordered. "I didn't call you back so you can lecture me about what you think is going on, Francis. I asked you to look for some information for me. Your message said you had it. So let's hear it."

"I do have it," the older man confirmed. "But I want to know what exactly you're planning to do. The things that I've unearthed in my research...I have to say, Jason... I wasn't particularly on board with this order, but I did it because you're my boss and I always felt you were decent. Now...I'm not really sure what to think."

"I just want the information, Francis," the enforcer ordered out in a tight voice.

"Fine," he relented. "Here's what I found out. The FBI were called by Doctor Steven Webber to look into the disappearance and possible kidnapping of his sister and her children. Cameron Webber, oldest child of Elizabeth Webber, was found by some hikers in Olympic National Park in Washington. It is unclear how long he was alone in the woods. He was in a very remote location that is hardly ever visited; frankly, he's lucky he was found. He was thin from lack of food, he was cold from exposure, and the child sounded absolutely terrified when he was recovered."

He swallowed at the thought of what the little boy had gone through, and then it touched him even more because it was Miss Webber's son. The younger woman had always been kind to him when he'd guarded her, and he'd grown to like the budding artist. To know that she was a mother now made Francis happy. But he didn't like what he'd learned about what happened to her family.

"From what he told his uncle who went out to get him, and what he told the local authorities before Doctor Webber got there, it sounds like Helena Cassadine was involved," Francis continued on. "And then this is where I really had to do some digging and the computer guy I have had to do some careful maneuvers through the Fed's database."

"Tell him to be careful," the enforcer said. "My computer guy was found by the FBI."

That's because Jason's computer guy was an immature idiot who loved to brag about his exploits online when he should know better. Actually, when Jason should know better than to keep the guy around. He couldn't keep his mouth shut or his fingers off his keyboard. Francis' computer expert was a ghost. He came in, he did the job and he left. He didn't feel the need to brag about his accomplishments; it was personal satisfaction enough to get paid well for the FBI never finding that someone had come in and electronically rifled through their files.

"What my guy found," Francis continued on, not even acknowledging Jason's words, "is that Helena Cassadine, working with Sarah Webber, was waiting when Elizabeth arrived. She took Elizabeth's youngest son, Aiden Cassadine, ordered Elizabeth and Cameron disposed of, and..."

He paused and took a breath and then said, "And then gave Jake Spencer, who I don't actually think is a Spencer at all, to someone unknown. Cameron called him the strange man. Said that he was waiting there with Helena, but wasn't working with her. He wanted Jake as his revenge."

"His revenge?" Jason asked, panic and fear creeping into his voice. "Revenge against me?"

"I don't think so," he shook his head. So his suspicions were correct, Jason was the father of Elizabeth's middle child, but everyone thought Lucky was. "He said it was revenge against Elizabeth because of what she'd done to Jake's father."

There was nothing but confusion in the father's voice as he said, "What? That doesn't make sense. It was revenge against Elizabeth? She hasn't done anything."

"For the way she treated Jake's father," Francis stated. "And since the world thinks that Lucky Spencer is Jake's father, and Helena Cassadine hates the Spencers and therefore should hate Jake because she hates Lucky, she should have taken him in her plan. Except she didn't take the boy, but instead handed him over to someone else so he could get revenge for Jake's father...then I would think it's safe to say that it's not connected to the Spencers, but someone found out that Jake Spencer is yours. But they didn't take him because of you...not for revenge on you, but because they're claiming to avenge you somehow."

The other man was silent so long that Francis finally prompted, "Jason? Does that make any sense to you?"

"Did your research about Port Charles tell you about Franco?" the other man finally asked.

"The creepy performance artist who was obsessed with you?" the guard clarified. "Yeah. He took Miss Webber's youngest son after he was born."

He paused for a moment and then asked, "Was that connected to you? You think he's the guy who took your son? He found out?"

"He couldn't have found out," Jason insisted, but he didn't sound entirely sure.

Francis couldn't help laughing as he said, "Jason, it doesn't really take a genius to figure it out. There's the admission in court that you and Miss Webber slept together. There were the questions about her son being yours. Yeah, your kid tried to hide the paternity test, but honestly, he's not that good and my guy found it. Do you think Franco can't do that? Or that he couldn't take one look at your son and figure out that he looks like you and not Lucky Spencer?

"Jason," he said, trying to be sympathetic, but also being blunt. "I'm not a computer expert, but I found over a dozen photos of the kid without even breaking a sweat. I look at him and I don't see Lucky, I see you. And I'm betting a lot of other people do as well, they just aren't saying anything. So if this guy is that obsessed with you, then what makes you think that taking Miss Webber's youngest son was just a coincidence? And what makes you think that he didn't figure out that Jake is yours? If he's got pictures of you going back years...showing you with lots of other people in your life, what makes you think he just happened to miss all the years you've known Elizabeth and have been friends with her? How would he miss something so big as you having your own child if he knows everything else about you?"

"We don't know that Franco is the person Cameron is talking about," his boss tried to say.

"You're right," Francis agreed. "But what does your gut tell you, Jason?"

There was a brief pause and then he said, "That we need to look into Franco. Start in Astoria, Oregon. That's where his mom lives; it's where he took Aiden and where Lucky found Elizabeth's son."

"Okay," the guard agreed. "I'll get started on that. In the meantime...what are you going to do?"

"I-I don't know," was the answer.

"Well, Jason," Francis said bluntly. "I hope you figure it out soon. Because guarding your ex-wife and playing referee between her and Sonny and Carly while your son is missing is pathetic frankly. But then again, so is getting back together with the woman who watched your son get kidnapped. So maybe I shouldn't be surprised if you decide Brenda and Sonny are more important than your missing son."

Part 6
Prompt - Money frees you from doing things you dislike. Since I dislike doing nearly everything, money is handy. - Groucho Marx

Jason stepped through the door of his penthouse and sighed as he looked around. Was this really who he had become? This...dining room table instead of a pool table, these...pink...what were they anyways? He'd let Maxie decorate because it was easier to just let her do it so he didn't have to listen to her whining, or listen to Spinelli pleading on her behalf. She was like Carly that way...it was just easier to hand over some money and let her do what she wanted and then pay any future bills that came in.

He didn't really care what his house looked like. It was a place where he drank a beer, slept when he was exhausted, and as long as it had a good locking desk so he could do his work, he didn't care what the rest of the place looked like. But this...looking around, he shook his head. This was what he lived with? Where was his leather sofa and his minimalist décor? It had pretty much disappeared when he let Courtney redecorate because she wanted it to feel like a home; which meant looking like Carly had decorated Sonny's penthouse.

"Jason?"

He looked up and saw Sam standing on the stairs in some see-through nightgown and wondered where Brenda was. Because Sam had declared she didn't want to have sex with him when his ex-wife was just next door. She hadn't minded having sex when Spinelli was on the other side of the wall; in fact she often got quite loud, but Brenda had apparently made her more insecure than she wanted to admit. So he knew the model must be gone; or Sam had gotten really desperate.

"Jason?" She looked at him with confusion, as if she didn't understand why he was still standing there. And why should she? Normally, he saw something like that and he had her practically thrown over his shoulder in his haste to get to his bedroom.

But now, when he looked at her, he couldn't get Francis' words out of his head. Going back to the woman who had watched his son get kidnapped. The guard didn't expect him to actually do anything to look for Jake; he'd give Francis the order and then go back to taking care of Brenda, sleeping with Sam and ignoring Elizabeth and her children as he'd been doing before.

"Jason?" Sam's voice dropped a notch as she softly called his voice, while her hand caught the bottom edge of her nightgown and then slowly, teasingly began to bring it up. As if he couldn't already see underneath it.

"Where is everyone?" he asked.

Her hand, and the hem, dropped and she stared at him. "What?"

"Brenda's not here, so where is she?" he repeated. "She's not supposed to leave here."

"Well, she got tired of waiting around for you to come back," Sam huffed out, crossing her arms over her chest. "We all did. You disappeared, you hardly come home, you won't talk to anyone...she got tired of being treated like a child and went out. I made sure she took guards with her."

"You mean you arranged guards for her when you sent her out," he clarified, a biting edge entering his voice. "You knew that eventually I'd have to come home, and since I wasn't returning your calls and wasn't going to your place, you figured you'd wait for me here. But that meant Brenda needed to be gone. Even though you know it's not safe; that there's a dangerous man out there trying to kill her, you sent her out so that you could get me into bed."

Her brow furrowed and she asked, "Why are you upset? You never seem to care when I send Spinelli away. In fact, you seemed to like it. Brenda went to Sonny's; she made that decision on her own. And there were plenty of guards around her and she's going to be at his place, so why are you acting like this?"

"She went to Sonny's?" he demanded, his hand clenching at his side. "How could you let her do that?"

With a raised eyebrow she said, "Because she's a grown woman. She gets to make her own decisions."

"But she said she didn't want to see Sonny," Jason shook his head. "You don't know how she gets around him. He's no good for her and she doesn't want him in her life, but she can't resist him."

He paced away with a curse and said, "I should have been here sooner."

"This is ridiculous," Sam said, flinging her arms out. "Why are you so concerned about Brenda? And if you are so concerned about Brenda...then why weren't you here? Where have you been where nobody's been able to reach you?"

There was only a moment's hesitation on her part and then she charged on. "You've been acting weird ever since we got back from the hospital. Is what we heard bothering you?"

"The fact that my son is missing, you mean?" Jason demanded of her, angered by her almost cavalier mentioning of it. Of her not actually saying the words, just hinting at it. "You mean...I shouldn't be upset that Jake is missing and nobody knows where he's at? Or is that you're bothered that I might be upset that Elizabeth is missing as well."

She rocked back slightly, but denied. "No. I know that you don't care about Elizabeth. She's in the past, and you were only with her because of Jake. I know you're worried about your son. It's just like when we went looking for him when the Russians took him. I saw it, Jason; I saw how much you love your son."

"But you didn't really care about that when you let Maureen Harper take him," he accused her.

His girlfriend flinched and she frowned. "You said you forgave me."

"No," he clarified with a shake of his head, his eyes narrowing. "I said we didn't need to talk about it. Because how could I really justify being with you if we actually talked about it?"

Sam's eyes widened and she came down the stairs and demanded, "What?"

"I didn't talk to Robin for years simply because she told A.J. the truth," he told her. "You watched Jake get kidnapped and you never said anything. You didn't want him found. You told Elizabeth the two of you were even now because your babies were dead and you thought it was only fair, right? She had my baby, but Jake was gone, so that was what she deserved. You didn't want Jake found, you didn't care about him or the fact that Maureen was unstable. All you wanted was for me to suffer, for Elizabeth to suffer and for Jake to disappear."

He swallowed and said, "Well, Jake's gone. Nobody has any idea where he is. Elizabeth...who knows if she's suffering, but Helena Cassadine wanted her dead and her children have been taken, so chances are...she's suffering. And as for me...well, I'm suffering, too. My son is missing. It-"

He cut himself off, not wanting to share that it might have been Franco who took Jake. Instead, he shook his head and said, "Go get dressed, Sam, and go home."

"You don't mean that," she pleaded with him, reaching for him but he stepped back before she could touch him. "Let me help you, Jason. We found Jake before; we make a good team."

"But I don't want you on my team," he found himself saying. "When I find my son...you won't be a part of that. Because...because you won't be a part of my life."




"We've got company waiting at the airport," Adam said as he stepped back into the airplane from the cockpit. The pilot had requested he come up a little bit ago and Steven had wondered what it was all about, but was more focused on soothing Cameron back to sleep after the page from the pilot had disturbed the little boy.

As his friend sat down he said, "Lucky Spencer apparently found out we're returning and is tossing around his badge and the fact that he's working with another agency at the moment to wait for us."

Steven looked away in disgust and then shook his head. "Figures. Well, fine...it's better to get this over with. I want to leave Cameron on the plane though, even if he wakes up when we land. I don't want him there at first. Lucky will use his presence to try to get what he wants and I'm not going to let it happen."

"Fair enough," the FBI agent nodded. "We'll leave him with Holly. You, me and Jack can go talk to Spencer. Actually, we can leave Jack talking to him and get your nephew off the plane once you've said your piece."

"Thank you, Adam," the tired doctor replied.

"I keep telling you, this is my job," his friend said. "Maybe I shouldn't be on the case because of our past friendship and working together, but honestly, right now, the Bureau understands that you need a friendly face around you. I'm going to help you find your sister and her sons, and I'm going to help you take care of your nephew. We're not leaving town. We've got plenty to do in talking to Nikolas Cassadine, Lucky Spencer and Jason Morgan. But it's going to get worse before it gets better...you know that, right?"

"Yeah," he nodded. "Like when I tell my grams what happened. Who knows what's going to happen with Cassadine and Morgan...yeah. So let's just get this thing with Lucky over with. I don't want to deal with him after this, so it's better to just get it done and out of the way."

Cameron only stirred briefly when the plane descended and Agent Monroe was only too happy to sit with him on the plane while Steven and the other two FBI agents got off. As they came down the metal stairs that unfolded from the plane, the protective uncle was glad he'd left Cameron on board. Lucky was pacing anxiously on the tarmac and looked at each of them searchingly; ready to pounce and grab the little boy he called his son only when it was convenient.

"Where's Cam?" he demanded when it became obvious nobody else was coming.

"He's on board," Steven answered. "He's asleep."

"Oh, well, I guess you can just give me his stuff and then I'll go get him," Lucky said.

"Excuse me?" the doctor couldn't help but scoffing. "You really think I'm going to give you Cameron?"

"I'm his father," the cop stated, putting his hands on his hips.

"Right," the older man nodded. "Right. That's why you didn't see him before he and Jake left to go to Palo Alto. It's why you were hardly around. It's why you never called Elizabeth while they were out in California. Tell me, Lucky...did you even give the boys a thought when you went running off to play pretend assassin?"

"Elizabeth has been missing since she got to California," Lucky protested. "How could I call her?"

"But you didn't know that, did you?" he shot back. "You didn't know that and you never bothered trying to contact those boys. You wouldn't see the boys because you were too angry at Elizabeth back when you found out she'd been sleeping with Nikolas. In fact, you told her you couldn't look at them because you were too angry with her. Yeah," he shook his head scornfully, "that's some great father right there. Too pissed at Mommy to care about your kids. Only claim them when it's convenient for you."

"She slept with Nikolas," the younger man charged heatedly, flinging his arm out. "My brother!"

"Yeah," Steven nodded, leaning towards the cop angrily. "And you slept with Elizabeth's sister. And lied about it. To her face, even when she asked you, and caught you kissing Sarah once. You lied about it, and kept on sleeping with Sarah. And if you think I'm lying, I've seen the proof of your affair with Sarah. I've seen your son, which is apparently something you've never have done."

He pushed Lucky back and said, "So don't come here whining about how Elizabeth cheated on you. You've done the same thing...and worse to her, and she hasn't gone around calling you a bastard and an SOB. And the fact that you blew off Sarah and your son simply because it was inconvenient for you to have a child with Sarah instead of Elizabeth, because you knew Elizabeth would never take you back once she knew about Sarah's son...you disgust me."

"I want my son," the younger man said, clenching his teeth.

"Then I suggest you fly to California and get Lucas out of the foster care system." Hooking a thumb over his shoulder at the plane Steven said, "but if you mean Cameron, then you're out of luck. Because he's not your son."

"I helped raise him. He calls me Daddy."

"Yeah...how exactly have you helped raise him?" the doctor wondered. "Do you pay child support? Were you helping raise him when you were addicted to pain pills and claimed you couldn't do your job so Elizabeth was working two jobs to cover all your medicals expenses because you were too proud to go ask your brother for help? Oh, no, that's right," he mocked. "You sent Cam off to Grams. Your back hurt too much, you couldn't watch him. But apparently your back didn't hurt too much for you to nail Maxie Jones on the bed you shared with Elizabeth. Wouldn't go to rehab for Cameron, even when Elizabeth was begging you, but as soon as you heard she was pregnant with what you thought was your child, you checked yourself in. Yeah...great parenting there."

He reached into his jacket and pulled out a piece of paper from the inside pocket. "But just in case you think you really have a shot of getting Cam, even though you never adopted him, even though you have no formal visitation or custody agreement with Elizabeth, she just generously let you spend time with the boys even though you haven't paid her any child support...this is an emergency order from a federal judge that gives me complete guardianship of Cameron.

"See," he stated, taking pleasure he knew he shouldn't in the shock on Lucky's face. "It's what Elizabeth wanted. When you were walking around calling her a whore and a slut and...oh, what was it...comparing her actions to farm animals, we talked. We talked a lot. I got her to a real psychiatrist, not someone who was going to let you come in and say how you missed the girl you pulled out of the snow and wondered where that girl had gone. And this doctor helped her. And she decided, even before Aiden was born, that if something happened to her - either in childbirth or something else - that she wanted me to have guardianship of her boys."

He gestured to the agents standing behind him and said, "It was real easy for the FBI to get a copy of her will from her lawyer and forward it to the judge in California. He signed the order before we flew home. Especially when the FBI also learned what you were off doing. Off in Ireland, pretending to be a dead assassin, working to bring down a dangerous international criminal. Why...that's a very unsafe profession for a father to be in if he's supposed to be taking care of a frightened little boy. Not to mention the fact that Helena Cassadine hates your family, is the alleged kidnapper of Aiden and ordered the death of Cameron, and the only reason Elizabeth ever got caught up in this whole messy war was because of you...well, that's just not in Cameron's best interest to be around you."

Stepping closer to Lucky he said, "You didn't think Jason should be around Cameron or Jake because he was too dangerous. Never mind you hanging out with Sam McCall and working undercover to try to bring down the Russian mob. Well, now a judge agrees with me that you have no place in Cameron's life...especially since you're not actually related to him. I'm his uncle, I'm his family, and I'll be taking care of him."

He stepped back, and unclenched his hands at his side. "There's no way I'm going to let you see Cameron, Lucky, so don't bother coming around. I've got the FBI on my side; they aren't going to let you get away with things like the PCPD does. Besides, if you're really being hit with a dose of parental concern...then go deal with the son you had with Sarah. With his mother in jail, he needs somebody to step forward before he spends the rest of his life in foster care."

"Detective Spencer," Jack said as he stepped forward, effectively pushing the cop back with his pro football physique. "Agent Van Buren of the FBI. We have some questions we'd like to ask you about your family's history with Helena Cassadine and your ex-wife's involvement with her. We also have some questions about Sarah Webber. The local office brought a car; the two of us can take a ride back and have a chat."

Steven let out a breath as he watched his sisters' ex-husband being led away, and then he turned for the stairs to go back into the airplane. He just wanted to get Cameron and go home. He had to speak to his grandmother before the FBI went public with the information about Elizabeth, Jake and Aiden missing. And he was going to have to deal with two fathers whose sons were missing. He wasn't looking forward to any of the upcoming encounters.

Part 7
Prompt - "A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you, the less you know." Diane Arbus

"I don't know how we never saw this," Audrey said sadly as she brought out more pictures that Elizabeth had printed out, but hadn't put into photo albums yet.

They had gone through the scrapbooks she'd put together for different phases and events with the boys, but they were looking for a picture of Aiden and a more recent picture of Jake to give to the FBI. Adam was working with a press officer to put together the wording on the release, as well as debating whether to announce that Jason Morgan was Jake's father. At this time, none of them saw any reason to do so. As Jack said, it really didn't have any bearing on the case, and it might just create more problems. In a way, Steven was glad for it; he hadn't been able to get a hold of the other man yet and he at least wanted to talk to the man before they might have to release that little nugget to the public.

"Gram," he said as he looked up from the photos in his hand. "You honestly never considered it might be true? You never looked at Jake and wondered?"

"She said that Jake wasn't Jason's," the older woman said. "And I believed her."

"And you were probably so happy that you never wanted to look deeper," he said with a shake of his head. "I don't understand you, Gram."

Looking at him sharply she asked, "What do you mean?"

"I mean, how you were so dead set against Jason Morgan, but shoved her at men who were just as dangerous, if not more so," he said, putting down the pictures and looking at her fully.

"Neither Ric, nor Lucky was ever as dangerous as Jason Morgan," she shook her head. "Jason Morgan kills people for a living, he is in the mob, the danger that lifestyle has brought to Elizabeth's life and would bring to her children. I did my best to get him out of her life, but she would never listen to me."

The doctor swallowed and then said, "Sometimes I wonder whether you really love her."

"What a horrible thing to say, Steven," she said in surprise looking at him sharply. "Of course I love her. I have always loved her and wanted what was best for her."

"Then why...why in the world would you urge her, practically badger her and belittle her into reconciling with abusive men?" he demanded. "Considering your personal history, why would you want Elizabeth and her children to go through the horror of living with an abuser?"

Steven put the pictures on the coffee table and stood up, pacing away. He ran a hand through his hair and then whirled around. "I finally stopped listening to your version of events, Gram, and I actually opened my eyes and watched Elizabeth and listened to her. I watched Lucky Spencer call my sister a whore and a slut and a bitch and yell and scream at her and wonder sometimes if this would be the time when his fury exploded beyond words and he actually raised his fists to her. You know that Lucky and Sarah slept together. Even if you didn't know about Lucas, you knew that Lucky had cheated on Elizabeth with Sarah...and yet everyone just stood back and let Lucky berate Elizabeth as if she was some modern day Hester Prynne who deserved to be thrown in the stockade in the town square and have rotten food thrown at her."

He let out a breath and then asked, "What kind of woman wants her granddaughter that she loves to go back to a relationship like that? Tells her that she's just supposed to forgive her husband for cheating on her numerous times? That she's supposed to have her children marginalized and put into danger from a drug addict and she just needs to try harder to fix her husband like she's responsible for his actions?"

"I've known since she was a young woman that she's loved Lucky Spencer," his grandmother said. "That is where her heart always leads her back to. So I have encouraged her to follow her heart."

"No, you haven't," he said bluntly. "You most certainly haven't. You want the perfect façade. You want everyone to think that Audrey Hardy's family is wonderful and perfect. It's why you never spoke up when your husband was abusing you. It's why you've constantly told Elizabeth to just forgive and forget when Lucky does something to humiliate her, or hurt her, or betray her...because that's just what wives do. It's what you wanted her to do because you wanted the perfect little Norman Rockwell painting of Americana; high school sweethearts who stay together despite all odds. And mostly because you never, ever wanted your granddaughter to be connected to the local mob. It was a disgrace on you, and so you never looked out for Elizabeth; you just wanted her to be a good Stepford Wife. It's no wonder she always went back to Lucky; it's because everyone in this town never looked out for her interests. They were more focused on badgering her into taking him back and fixing him because they couldn't be bothered to actually accept that Lucky was a broken, flawed man who was dangerous and either needed some help, or needed to be locked up. As long as he was with Elizabeth, then everything was fine."

"That is unfair, Steven," she said, her voice trembling with emotion as she stood and crossed her arms over her middle.

"What's unfair is that Elizabeth suffered years of abuse at the hands of Lucky Spencer and nobody - not the medical professionals she worked with, not her grandmother who lived through the same thing, not the police because they were protecting one of their own - nobody ever saw what was really happening. Because then it might mean that Elizabeth would live her life for herself instead of being with Lucky." He looked at her and said, "Well, look at what's happened to Elizabeth in the last year or so. And tell me, Gram, whether you really think she was better for being involved with Lucky Spencer."

"It's unfortunate what happened," she began, but Steven cut her off.

"I suppose it's just unfortunate what Sarah did?" he asked, lifting a brow. "Sarah conspired with a dangerous woman, watched your grandsons get kidnapped, watched her sister be condemned to death, actively lied to everyone, and that's just unfortunate?"

"She was frightened," his grandmother said.

"And Elizabeth was frightened for Jake," he said. "But I haven't heard you vent half as much against Sarah as you did earlier tonight when I told you that Jake was Jason Morgan's son. Sarah kept a huge secret; she never told anyone she had a child, that she had Lucky Spencer's child. She was actively involved in a criminal conspiracy and you're ready to excuse her because she was frightened. But you weren't half so compassionate against Elizabeth."

With a disappointed shake of his head he said, "I guess I shouldn't be surprised. You've always been this way with Elizabeth and Sarah. I'm just now able to see it and be disgusted with it. You were mad at me for not bringing Lucas back with me when I brought Cam home and you don't seem to have a lot of faith that Lucky will go out and claim his son...so why don't you, Gram? Why don't you go to California and support Sarah? Get her a lawyer, get her son out of foster care, help poor, unfortunate Sarah get out of this mess of her own making. In the mean time I'll take care of Cam, I'll look for Elizabeth and I'll support her."

"Steven," his grandmother said, stepping forward. "I am not going to excuse what Sarah did. I just...I don't understand what's going on with everyone. I don't understand how Elizabeth could have a child with Jason Morgan."

"What I don't understand," he said, picking up a picture off the table, "is how nobody saw what was right in front of their faces. Who does this look like?"

She studied the picture of Jake and finally sighed out, "Jason Morgan."

"Exactly," Steven nodded. "So stop being so mad at everyone else and realize that you just willfully didn't want to see it. And stop focusing on everything else, and focus on doing everything we can to get Elizabeth and the boys back."




When Jason walked downstairs in the morning, the last person he expected to see sitting at the table and having breakfast with Spinelli and Brenda was Sam. He'd sent her home yesterday after their break-up, packed up her belongings she'd brought to his house over the past several months, gave it to a guard to deliver to her and then went and got Brenda from Sonny's.

He'd then sat down with his ex-wife and told her that she had to decide what she really wanted. If she didn't want to be in Port Charles, then he would assign a legion of guards and send her back to Rome. If she truly wanted to stay safe from the Balkan, then he needed her to listen to him. But he was tired of getting sucked back into the craziness of her life and her back and forth with Sonny and her fights with Carly. He wasn't going to buy her excuses anymore of she just couldn't help herself because she wasn't a child, she was a grown up and she was making a conscious choice to go see Sonny. She had been a little surprised by his blunt gruffness and wondered why the sudden shift in attitude.

"Some things have happened," he told her. "I realized that I've got to make a change and I need to prioritize. I made a commitment to you and promised I'd keep you safe, but I will not chase all over town and save you from yourself. I can't. I have something else I need to focus on as well, something that's important to me, and I've let myself get distracted from it for too long."

"What?" she wondered. "Are you going to focus on Sam now?"

"No," he shook his head. "Sam and I...we're done. There's something else I need to deal with."

Though his ex-wife had asked him and pestered him, he hadn't told her. He told her that it was personal and just like she'd asked him to leave certain things alone and he'd respected that, he was telling her to leave it alone. He would keep her safe, but he had to try to keep someone else safe as well and if she was going to continue to cause problems for him, then he was going to have to send her back to Rome. He wasn't going to keep fighting with her and losing his focus.

So he was a little surprised to see her sitting next to Sam having breakfast, when she knew they'd broken up. As he stepped off the last riser he looked at her questioningly, while ignoring the looks Sam was giving him.

"Look who showed up to breakfast, Jason," she said in a tone that showed her incredulousness at the other woman's presence. But it was sweet enough that it didn't cause the other people at the table to look at her suspiciously. "Sam said she came to talk to Spinelli about a case."

"Then maybe they should have met at their office," he replied, still ignoring the other two people in the room. "After all, that's why they have it."

"I wanted to talk to you," Sam said, interjecting herself into the conversation she apparently refused to be shut out from anymore.

Looking at her he said he kept his voice flat, but firm, "I think we covered everything last night, Sam. And I think it was clear when the guards brought your stuff over that I meant it."

"What?" Spinelli blurted out, his head whipping back and forth between the former couple. "What does Stone Cold mean? You had the protective guards take Fair Samantha's most precious belongings back to her house?"

"It was just a misunderstanding, Spinelli," Sam said, giving the younger man a sweet smile and a pat on his shoulder. "You know Jason's been a little...distracted since we came back from Brenda's hospital appointment. I told you what happened."

The hacker's eyes widened knowingly and he began nodding vigorously. "Right, right, Fair Samantha told about-"

He stopped talking at a sharp look from his partner and Jason's eyes narrowed. Stepping closer to the table he said, "It wasn't a misunderstanding, Sam. I meant every word I said last night. You and I are over."

Spinelli looked like he'd been hit and he spluttered, apparently trying to find air or words to voice the questions that could be seen ping-ponging around on his face. But a knock on the door drew Jason's attention away and he turned his back on the table. Opening the door, he was surprised to see Elizabeth's brother on his threshold, his face firm with anger and resolve.

"We need to talk," the doctor said, pushing his way into the penthouse.

"Now isn't a good time," Jason tried to put him off with a shake of his head.

"Yeah," the other man said scornfully. "It never seems to be a good time with you. Well, I'm sorry if this inconveniences you, but since I began to doubt whether you'd actually ever return my phone calls or agree to meet with me, I came here. We need to talk about Elizabeth and Jake."

Jason glanced over his shoulder when he heard the three people at the table get up, and looked back to Steven as he said, "Look, I know we need to talk. But not here."

"Frankly," Elizabeth's brother said, "I think you're just trying to blow me off again. And I'm not going to do it. Your son is missing. His mother is missing. Now, look, you ditched the two of them and paid off Elizabeth with five million go-away-and-take-your-bastard-child-with-you dollars so your conscience could be cleared to hook back up with the woman who watched your son get kidnapped and wished him dead. So I get that this might be a little inconvenient for you to talk about. Me actually reminding you that you have a son, that you lied to my sister and led her on, making her think you actually wanted a life with her when instead you ditched her and hooked back up with the home wrecking slut over there, but tough."

He stepped forward and raised a finger, "My sister is missing. My nephews are missing. I get that you probably don't care that Helena Cassadine took Aiden. After all, you did squat when he was grabbed by the psycho stalking you all over town. But your son is missing, and there's a fair chance that it was that sick freak who took him. Either that, it was your dweeb of a computer geek over there acting on orders from your girlfriend who wanted Jake, and all ties to Elizabeth, out of the way. I don't know...and frankly, that will be for the FBI to find out and then prosecute the people who took my family.

"But you're Jason Morgan," he continued on. "And your son is missing. And I am desperate enough to actually come here and beg you to get up off your worthless backside and find my sister and my nephews. You can go back to ignoring them after they're found and continue on with your idyllic little life over there. But I know you found Jake twice before when he was kidnapped...so I'm asking you to step up and be a father and find your son."

"I'm already looking for him," Jason told Steven. "I had someone looking into it shortly after I heard you and Patrick talking about it at the hospital. I..."

He swallowed thickly and cleared his throat. "I already suspected Franco. I have men that are searching for any trace of him. I have men that are going to Astoria, Oregon where Franco's mother lives. It's where he took Aiden. I-I have people looking for Helena Cassadine and Aiden. And I...I have people looking for E-Elizabeth."

"You do?" the doctor asked, his voice a mixture of surprise and disbelief. "Then why didn't you return my calls?"

"Because I was arranging the men who were out looking," he answered. "I got your call yesterday and I meant to call you back, but then my guy that I have in charge of all of this called and had some information. And then I was also arranging for some men to arrive who don't work for Sonny...men that report to me, to provide security for you and Cameron."

"What?" the other man asked, his brow furrowing.

"I realized that I was wrong to never put guards on Elizabeth and the boys," he said. "I always thought that if guards were there, it would draw attention to them. Instead it left them vulnerable. My men found an old hide-out of Franco's. I think he wanted me to find it. But it had pictures of Elizabeth's house, and her boys. I realized that I couldn't leave you and Cameron unprotected, so I arranged it all last night and I was just on my way out to call you and meet you when you showed up."

Steven paused for a moment, his face softening only slightly before it hardened again into anger and he said, "Well...as usual, it seems like you're too little, too late. Maybe if you'd had your epiphany sooner, none of this would have happened."

Part 8
Prompt - "You think I make a bitchy wife? I'd make an even bitchier ex-wife."

"You have a son?"

"Brenda," Jason sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. The back of his eyes throbbed and his temples felt like someone had stabbed an ice pick through them each time she talked.

"No," she screeched at him. "You have a son, and he's been kidnapped, and you had to hear about it from his uncle because you walked away from him?"

"I was trying to keep him safe," he spat back at her, flinging his arm out angrily. "He'd been kidnapped twice. The last time he was nearly blown up in a dingy bar because someone found out I was dating his mother. They didn't even know he was my son; they just thought he was my girlfriend's son and they took him and nearly killed him."

"They also thought he was the son of the cop who was doing rather sloppy undercover work against them," she countered. He had told her the entire story after kicking Sam out of the apartment and telling Spinelli to go as well, and now she just kept arguing with him about his decisions. "Along with his bimbo of a girlfriend who's about as subtle as two dollar hooker. Who's to say it was just because of you?"

"Because the lawyer who was running things said they'd taken Jake because of me," he argued with her.

She crossed her arms and looked at him. "And you've never known a lawyer who lied?"

"I'm not arguing with you about this anymore. I'm telling you I need you to stay here," he said. "This is what I was talking about last night. My son is missing and I am trying to find him. I need to figure out who this Balkan is, why he's after you and eliminate the threat, while trying to figure out where Jake is."

She looked at him as if he was stupid, a rather frequent look for her, and rolled her eyes. "Your son is kidnapped. There is no reason that you need to be my personal bodyguard. There are plenty of other guards on yours and Sonny's payroll. There are the police. There is no reason that you need to sit around personally holding my hand when there are more important things that you need to do."

"I gave you my word," Jason told her. "I'm not going to back out on it now."

His ex-wife tipped her head to the side, looking at him as if he was a bug under a microscope that she was studying. She had a look of curiosity and horror on her face and it only made his head hurt worse. He hated when people treated him this way.

"What?!" he demanded. "Whatever it is just spit it out so we can move on."

"Is this how Carly keeps herself in your life?" she wondered. "She goes back to those promises Robin told me you made to Michael when he was a baby? She pulls out some 'Jason, you promised Michael...' card and you fall into line like you're a trained monkey? Is that why you walked away from your son? You thought your promises you made to Michael superseded your obligations to your son because you made them before Jake was born?"

"What are you going on about?" the annoyed enforcer asked. "I don't need some psycho-babble you've picked up watching daytime TV."

"No," she insisted. "You may not think I was listening to you when you explained what happened, but I was. You told me how you broke up with Elizabeth and refused to see her or Jake even though you'd just proposed to her, because Michael was shot."

"It proved to me that this life is no place for kids," he insisted.

"And Elizabeth offered to run away with you. Pack up her kids, walk away from her family, her job, her friends, and leave town with you and you refused." She huffed and put her hands on her hips. "You walked away from the mob for Michael. I remember you and Robin living in my old cottage with him. You got out."

"And I got sucked right back in. Just like Sonny gets sucked right back in," Jason countered. "I was foolish enough back then to think that I could walk away. But I couldn't. And I didn't want that danger following us. I didn't want the boys to have to grow up looking over their shoulders, wondering and worrying and having to move every six months just to stay safe. What kind of life is that for them?"

"What kind of life do they have now?" she countered, raising her brow pointedly. "They've been kidnapped. They could be dead. What kind of life is Cameron Webber going to have if his mother and brothers are never found and he has to live with the haunted memories for the rest of his life that he could have died right along with them?"

"Do-don't say that," he shook his head. "We're going to find Elizabeth and her boys. Cameron won't remember this."

"He will," Brenda told him softly. "He's old enough...he'll remember. Maybe it will fade with time, but he'll always remember. And he'll remember that his aunt betrayed him, along with the man he thought was daddy. And as he gets older and more and more of the story gets revealed to him and he looks at it with the eyes of an adult, he's going to wonder about you."

Jason could hardly swallow past the lump in his throat and she kept going. "He's going to wonder about you. He's going to hear the stories. Port Charles doesn't keep secrets very well. He'll start digging, wondering...and he'll hear about you in Michael's life, and Morgan's life and the fact that after you walked away from his mother and him and his brother, you became the godfather of Carly's daughter. And he'll start wondering why she was more important than Jake. And he'll start wondering why Carly was more important than his mother. And he'll wonder why you got back together with Sam after she watched his brother get kidnapped and hired men to come after him in the park with guns. He might even have some faint memory of that. He'll wonder."

"That's enough," he ground out.

"No, Jason," his ex-wife shot at him. "It's not nearly enough. You walked away from Robin. You broke her heart. Made her believe you hated her, because you probably did. You let Sonny and Carly takes strips of flesh off her every time she came back for the Nurses' Ball, all because Robin had the audacity to speak up and tell A.J. the truth. You didn't speak to her for years. But you got back together with the woman who watched your son get kidnapped. You slept with the woman who hired men to come after your son and his brother with guns? What kind of man does that?!"

"The kind of man who hangs out with the man who shot his son in the chest and nearly blew up his daughter!" he yelled in frustration. "If you can absolve Sonny of that, then why are you climbing all over my case?"

"What?" she asked, taking a step back and shaking her head.

"Yeah," he sneered. "Sonny told me all about it. How he saw you in Rome, how you were sympathetic when he told you about shooting Dante and then finding out he was his son. How he was horrified he nearly set off a car bomb that killed his daughter. He said he could finally find some peace because he'd talked to you. So are you mad at me because I hurt Robin worse? Or is it because you're not in love me that you feel justified in yelling at me? I didn't shoot my son in the chest."

"You slept with the woman who wanted him dead," Brenda said. "That's pretty disgusting, Jason."

"Well then I guess we've solved our problem. You think I'm disgusting, you think Sonny's wonderful...I'm tired of getting stuck in the middle of your guys' games again. Go to Sonny and tell him you love him, tell him you want him to protect you from the Balkan. If you can forgive him for what he's done but look at me like I'm a monster then this isn't going to work out. I am not going to fight with you every day about the choices I've made. They were bad choices; I'll admit that. But I am not going to do this with you anymore. Go to Sonny and give him everything he wants."

He took a breath and said, "If I don't have my priorities straight; if I should be searching for my son instead of making sure you're safe, then fine. I'm done guarding you. You didn't want to come here in the first place. Go to Sonny; he'll keep you safe. I'll go look for Elizabeth and her boys."

Then he turned and stormed upstairs. Brenda could take care of herself now since she apparently thought he wasn't capable of anything. He was going to pack a bag and go meet with Francis.




"No, way, absolutely not," Carly insisted shrilly as she swooped in from previously unseen heights to intercept Brenda in the lobby. "Get out. You aren't welcome here."

"Funny," the model said tauntingly, tilting her head to the side. "That isn't what your husband told me when I first saw him after I arrived. He invited me to stop by any time I wanted. So I am. In fact I'm looking for a place to stay."

"I thought you were staying with Jason," the blonde sneered. "Your ex-husband. Although if he finally kicked your worthless-"

"Carly," Jax interrupted smoothly, placing a hand on his wife's arm. "You're causing a scene in the middle of the lobby. Tone it down. Brenda is welcome here any time."

"Absolutely not," the other woman insisted.

"You've told me Sonny is welcome here any time he wants," he countered, looking at her pointedly. Brenda could see his hand tighten on the other woman's arm.

"That's different," she insisted with a defiant shake of her head. "We share children."

"Actually, I've adopted Morgan," he said, his voice sounding sad. "How quickly you forget. And Michael isn't supposed to have anything to do with his father while he's still on probation. And Josslyn is our daughter, so no, you don't share children with Sonny. And yet you constantly throw him in my face and tell me that there's a history, there's a past and I need to respect it. Well, Brenda is my friend."

"She's your ex-fiancée," his wife hissed.

"And I put up with your ex-husband all the time," Jax countered. "So you'll simply have to accept that there is a history and a past here and that I am not going to turn my back on it. Brenda is welcome to visit here, to dine here, to even stay here if she wants."

"I was looking for a room," Brenda admitted, intrigued by the obvious contention in the marriage.

"Then come with me and we'll have Marty get you set up in one of our best suites," her ex-fiancé told her with a smile, taking her arm and steering her away from Carly. He didn't even bother taking leave of his wife; something a perfect gentleman like Jax wouldn't forget to do unless it was deliberate.

Jax merely told his employee which suite to put her in, complimentary of course, and then whisked her off to an elevator while telling a bellboy to get her bags. In no time she was standing in a suite she had a hard time imagining Carly Corinthos Jacks had actually approved of. It wasn't gaudy enough to be designed by the blonde.

"Well, that was an interesting show," she said with a nervous laugh once the door was closed behind them.

"I'm sorry," he told her, shaking his head ruefully. "Carly's been...contentious since you've arrived back in town."

"You mean she's jealous and insecure and doesn't want me around any of her former men. She's married to you, but she doesn't want me near Sonny. And she hates that I was staying with Jason," Brenda said, sitting down on the couch.

"Was staying with Jason," he noted. "I take it that's changed?"

"Obviously, since I'm looking for a room," she stated.

"I would have thought you'd just move in with Sonny," he countered, not without a little bitterness in his voice. "You said you came back to town because you just couldn't stop thinking of Sonny."

The model looked down at her designer jeans and picked off an imaginary piece of lint. "I know. But I...I had a fight with Jason today."

"Not surprising."

She looked at him sharply and said, "Jax, I'm trying to be serious here. I needed to talk to someone and you were the first person I thought of."

He looked intrigued, and stayed quiet as he sat down on a chair. Merely silently communicated with her to continue.

"Jason has a son," she began and noticed the man across from her didn't look surprised. "His son is missing, along with Elizabeth Webber and another of her sons. Her oldest boy was found abandoned in Olympic National Park in Washington after he escaped being killed by Helena Cassadine's men."

"What?" he interrupted, sitting up abruptly. "What are you talking about?"

Brenda took in a breath and held it, then slowly let it out. Then she began to explain everything. About the conversation she'd overheard at the hospital, to Jason's strange behavior, and then Steven Webber's visit to the penthouse this morning. She then gave him the blow by blow of her argument with Jason where she raked him over the coals for getting back together with the woman who watched his son get kidnapped, and then his sudden turning on her, telling her she was a hypocrite because she practically absolved Sonny for shooting his son.

"I did it again, didn't I?" she asked him. "I became his defender. His excuser."

"His apologist," Jax said with a firm nod. "Yes. You did. Sonny Corinthos is not a noble man. He shot an unarmed cop in his living room and would have left him for dead, but the moment he heard Dante was his son, he just expected to be forgiven. Lily was killed in a car bomb...and we both saw how that affected him. But in his rash, unthinking desire to dominate and destroy anyone who looks sideways at him, he set off a car bomb that nearly killed his daughter. And he hasn't shown one ounce of remorse for it. He's just upset his intended target didn't die."

He shook his head and said, "Carly vacillates between anger at him and excusing his behavior as that's just him. Michael was shot because Sonny didn't have guards at the warehouse and thought nobody would touch him just because he declared he was out of the mob. And then you come to town, and tell me that you can't stop thinking of him and I wonder what's happened to you. Robin comes and tells me I need to leave you alone and not prevent you from being with your one true love. Was that all I was, Brenda? An obstacle between you and Sonny?

"Do you remember what happened when you were with him?" he challenged her. "Getting shot at? The mental and verbal abuse he put you through? You were a pawn to him. He tossed you aside simply to get power by marrying Rivera's daughter. He would hurt you and humiliate you, but then flash the dimples to charm you back into his bed simply to beat me and show that he could do it. Do you remember any of that?"

"I'm beginning to," she said softly.

"Well, I suggest you hold onto that spark of a memory and let it grow. I suggest you think about how he yelled at you and berated you for wearing a wire, not to force him into a plea bargain with the FBI like Carly did, but simply to prove to everyone that he wasn't in the mob like he'd been lying to you and telling you he wasn't." Jax stood up and said, "I care for you, Brenda. I would have married you if you'd stuck around last time. But you can't seem to get your head straight about Sonny and frankly, I've got one too many women in my life who continue to make excuses for him and sleep with him at the drop of a hat."

"Jax," she stopped him from going. "I...I still am scared about the Balkan. Jason is going to look for his son...which he should. But...but I'm not sure I want his guards because it will give Sonny an excuse to come around and...and maybe I really do need to put some space between the two of us."

"I'll make a call immediately," he told her. "I'll have the finest security team on you around the clock."

"Are you doing this just to stick it to Sonny?" she asked him.

"I'm doing it to keep you safe," her ex-fiancé replied. "And if it helps keep you away from Sonny so you can think clearly about him, then that's just an added bonus."

"Is it going to cause problems for you and Carly?" Brenda wondered.

"Right now, it doesn't take much to cause problems between us," he evaded.

"But she's upset that I'm in town. And she'll be upset that I'm staying in your hotel," she continued.

"Do you want to cause problems between me and Carly?" he asked. "Are you hoping you will? Will it make you happy?"

She paused for just a moment and then answered, "Not if it makes you unhappy."

He raised his eyebrows and said, "Honestly, I don't know if it will or it won't. But don't be offended if I don't sit around in your hotel suite all day. I'm not sure what's going to happen, but I won't invite trouble into my life. I owe it to my children to not create an unhappy situation at home between me and their mother."

"That's...that's really good of you, Jax," she said with a wistful smile. "You've really grown as a father and I'm happy for you. So...so I think I'm just going to try and figure some things out for myself."

"Then I wish you luck, Brenda," he smiled and turned for the door.

"Yeah," she sighed as she ran her hand over her leg. "I think we all could use some of that."

Part 9
Prompt - "Life is not dated merely by years. Events are sometimes the best calendars." Benjamin Disraeli

This would always be known as the year that he watched his family's drama play out on TV. There wasn't any other way he was ever going to remember 2010. Sadly, it probably would even overshadow the fact that Aiden had been born this year. No, this year would forever be immortalized as the year he saw his sister's face plastered across TV and a nationwide search begin for her and her two sons. Everyone from the major networks to the cable news shows and every point in between had picked up the story and made it their lead all day long. Those who were headquartered in New York City sent satellite trucks and reporters to Port Charles to set up camp to be live and on location by the afternoon.

People were interviewed, records dug up, and each time the story ran, it seemed there was always a new nugget added to the gold mine. Of course, most of the story was focused on how one sister sold out another. There was Elizabeth's past dug up, but after Steven made a scripted plea for his sister and nephews' recovery, and then chastised the networks for turning the victim into the villain, they backed off the rough patches in Elizabeth's past and put the focus back where it belonged. On Elizabeth, Jake and Aiden. He was sure entire programs were re-written on the fly as anchors talked about the reported condition Cameron was found in, the age and last known descriptions of Jake and Aiden. Helena Cassadine's horrific face was plastered all over TV. Along with Franco's.

Sarah had finally caved in her interviewing process out in California and identified the crazy artist as the man who was there to take Jake. Which meant that this was because of Jason Morgan. The mobster's great plan of staying away from Elizabeth and the children had only left her unprotected. The man had known about Jake all along, but had only toyed with Jason the previous two times he came to town. And Jason had left Steven's sister wide open and vulnerable. It angered the doctor, but he didn't have any way of venting that anger.

Because Jason Morgan wasn't in town. He left yesterday. Sure, he stuck around long enough for the FBI to talk to, and he answered their questions honestly about his relationship with Elizabeth, Jake's paternity and his previous interactions with Franco. The agents had seen his bags, the mobster had admitted he was going to search for Elizabeth and her sons, and even though they'd told him not to get involved, to leave the investigation to them, the man had left anyways.

Steven was honestly of two minds about it.

He didn't want Morgan to suddenly act like he cared. He'd left Elizabeth alone for years, hadn't come by when she'd gone to Shady Brooke, never spoke to her when Aiden was kidnapped even though he'd seen firsthand how she'd been terrified during Jake's kidnappings, and had spit in her face by getting back together with the woman who watched Jake get kidnapped the first time. Steven wanted the man to just sit around, hanging out with his girlfriend so that the doctor could remain justified in his anger towards the mobster. But the worried brother and uncle was also convinced that the other man was probably the only way they'd ever find the missing trio. With this much time passed to have made the trail cold, Steven wanted the FBI to have all the help they could get. He wanted his sister and nephews back safe and sound and if it meant the mobster was out searching for them, then so be it.

He was just about ready to do anything at this point, and if that meant being in league with the mob, then that was what he was going to do.




Lucky looked around uncomfortably as he sat at the metal table bolted to the floor. He really didn't want to be here, but Siobhan and others had yelled at him for his actions regarding Sarah and Lucas and he felt that in order to get them off his back he needed to fly out to California and see them. Interpol cut him loose, saying that his personal drama was too great for him to continue on the case, and they didn't even really seem concerned when he said that maybe the Balkan would come after him.

"Lucky," Sarah said as she was led into the interview room. "They told me it was you, but honestly I still didn't believe them."

"Sarah," he returned stiffly as she sat down. "What did you do?"

She sat up straight and leveled him with a fierce glare. "What? Because I hurt precious little Lizzie? That's what you're mad about? That I protected our son at all costs?"

"You sold her out to Helena Cassadine," he snapped at her.

"She threatened to kill our son," she replied. "Now I understand that may not really matter much to you, but I love Lucas with all my heart. And believe me, it's not because he's your child. It's because he's my son. I carried him, I held him when he cried, I took care of him when he was sick, and I cried at his first steps, kept a lock of hair from his first haircut, kept his first tooth he lost. He's my child, that I carried inside me, and from the moment I held him, I loved him. You may have been able to dismiss him, but he will always be my first and only priority."

She shook her head at him and said, "Apparently fatherhood just doesn't agree with you, because even with your precious children with Saint Elizabeth, you still haven't been there for them. Maybe it was because they weren't actually yours, and so that meant you could walk away from them. Or maybe it was because you are just a loser like your father and you're a selfish bastard who only thinks about himself. I don't know. But honestly, that's not really the point."

"Then what is?" he demanded of her.

"That your son is dying," she said. "I don't really care that you'll walk away from him again and that you won't be in his life. Lucas is a wonderful boy and I want him to live. So you better contact every person in your worthless family and so they can get tested, and I swear Lucky Spencer that if you don't, you won't like what I reveal next."

Narrowing his eyes at her, the cop asked, "What do you mean, Sarah? What do you know?"

"Save my son," she commanded him. "You wouldn't believe the things I know from Helena. You want to know what I overheard, you want to know what I know...then you save my son."

She leaned back against her chair and said, "Until then, I have nothing more to say to you."

"How am I supposed to save him?" he demanded. "I have a job; I can't spend my time out here in California."

She raised a brow and said, "Then claim your son, get him out of foster care and take him to Port Charles. Get your Aunt Bobbie to help you."

He thought about it and said, "I could probably also ask Audrey."

Sarah's bitter laugh made him look at her sharply and she looked at him as if she pitied him. "Do you really think my grandmother will help? Steven turned his back on me and wouldn't take Lucas because he had to protect poor, little Cameron. My brother will get to my grandmother and she won't lift a finger for me or my son. She certainly hasn't contacted me to help me, so what makes you think she'll help my son?

"No," she shook her head. "No, the Spencer family might actually have to do something for once, instead of pushing the responsibility off on someone else. But I promise you, Lucky, if you don't save Lucas, then you will never know what secrets I discovered from Helena Cassadine."




"Patrick?"

He looked up, surprised to hear someone call his name, and even more surprised when he realized it was Robin. She stepped out onto the hospital roof and wrapped her arms around herself, rubbing her hands over her arms. "What are you doing out here?"

"Thinking," he replied.

His wife walked over and sat beside him on the brick ledge, their backs to the city. She looked at him softly and asked, "About what?"

"I've been doing a lot of thinking lately," he said. "This stuff with Elizabeth and her sister, with Lucky. It's made me think about you and Emma and what I did. How I put someone else, and especially myself, before my family."

With a sigh Robin said, "You aren't the only one."

"Robin," he shook his head. "I didn't say that as a dig about you."

"But it's true," she admitted. "I focused only on myself; on Stone, the man I loved before you. I left my family to go off and honor him and do good, and I shut you out. When I was down in the well and thought I was dying, I saw Stone. And I know that it was my mind making a manifestation of him, and I realize that my mind was telling me that I walked out on my family and clung to something in my past and refused to let you in. We both made mistakes, and I've been clinging to my anger at you over them. You were nothing but supportive of me when I had PPD and refused to admit it, with Emma...with so many things. You have changed so much, Patrick, since I first met you, and I refused to admit it, or acknowledge it, or honor you on it."

"Thank you," he said softly. "I appreciate that."

"I think all of this with Elizabeth, it's really put things into perspective for me," Robin continued. "Lisa is in Shady Brooke and even if she gets released tomorrow, I doubt Steven's going to give her her job back. She held me against my will and I thought of you and Emma and, yes, Stone. But you were there when I got out. What's going to happen with Elizabeth?"

The neurosurgeon shook his head and said, "I don't know. Her children were taken...again. She was taken. If she's found, she won't be with Jake or Aiden. How do we find three people who could be anywhere in the world? And what if we find just Elizabeth and not her boys? How is she going to cope with that? How are the fathers of her sons going to cope with that? Do you think they're going to help her like she really needs?"

"I don't know," his wife shook her head as well. "Uncle Mac is so mad at Lucky right now. He was off undercover and Mac hardly knew anything about it. Then to find out what Lucky did to Sarah; it's reminded him of how he treated Maxie. Even though she was faking a pregnancy, Lucky was horrible to her. And look at how he's treated Elizabeth over the years. Steven's cut back on his hours to deal with the media onslaught now that their kidnappings have been announced, he's trying to help Cameron and he's worried. I...I drove by as I was coming into work and there are media camped out on the street and the police are trying to keep them away. He's not going to let Cameron outside with all that attention around."

"Well," Patrick sighed wearily, scrubbing his hands over his face. He needed to get back to work soon, but it was so hard to motivate himself to move. Not just because Robin was finally sitting beside him and they were talking civilly, but because he was so exhausted with worry for his friends. "We can only hope that with all this media attention, someone spots Elizabeth and the boys, or knows something and decides to speak up."

"Yeah," she echoed with a sigh of her own. "It's a long shot, but right now...it feels like it's the only shot."

There was a brief pause between them and then she said, "I...I was thinking of stopping by the house later with Emma if you wanted to see her."

"Oh," he said in surprise, looking over at her. "I...I'll be there. I...I don't stay there all the time. Sometimes it's too much and I stay at the MetroCourt, but I'll be there."

"Good," Robin smiled. "I'm sure Emma will be happy to see you."

He hoped that it wasn't only Emma who would be happy with this evening.




"James, the sheriff is here."

Her husband walked up behind her and looked out the kitchen window where she was washing up their dishes from supper. Giving her a curious glance, he moved towards the door and was there to open it before Tyler could even knock.

"Evening, James," he said as he took off his hat. "Evening, Lottie. You have a moment?"

"Come in," James said, opening up the kitchen door and allowing the younger man to step inside. "What can we do for you?"

"Would you like some coffee?" Charlotte asked, poised to grab a mug and the coffee pot.

"No thank you, Lottie," he shook his head. "Doctor Polk said to lay off it for a little while."

"Well, sit down, Tyler," her husband offered. "What brings you out here?"

"It's about Taylor," he replied and husband and wife looked at each other. "I stopped by the clinic, but Doc said she wasn't there today. So I came out here, hoping to talk to her."

"She isn't here," she shook her head. "She ran a few errands today; James loaned her the truck."

When the sheriff looked at him, her husband huffed and said, "Don't look at me like that, Tyler. She may not have a license, but that girl knows how to drive. Just like she knew exactly what to do for Mrs. Fillmore when she slipped that day and fractured her hip. She kept her calm, helped Pierce before he could even ask for certain things. She's got medical training; we all agree on that. It's why Doc's letting her help out at the clinic even though we don't know who she is. She knows how to drive, she's paying with cash. She just needed a few things she couldn't get here."

"Well, that's the thing," Tyler said. "I think I may know who she is."

"What?" Charlotte asked, her eyebrows raised. "You sent out her picture when she first showed up. Searched missing person's databases. You said there was nobody that matched her description."

"Yeah," the other man nodded in agreement. "But today an alert came out. On the news and everything. FBI sent out a special notice."

He reached into his shirt pocked and pulled out a piece of paper, unfolding it and straightening the many creases as best he could. She and James waited anxiously for the other man to finally show them the picture and when they did she gasped. "That's Taylor."

"That's Elizabeth Webber," he corrected. "From Port Charles, New York, but she went missing from Palo Alto, California about two months ago."

"Two months," James asked. "But she only showed up here a little over a month ago."

"I know," the sheriff answered. "But the minute I saw her picture on the news I thought it was her. So I went down to the station even though it was supposed to be my day off and I went through all the alerts. And this was there from the FBI. She's got people looking for her now, along with her two little boys."

"Boys?" Charlotte asked in surprise. "There weren't any boys with her."

"They don't think they were with her. She...it sounds like she was supposed to have been killed and her two boys taken. It might explain the condition she was, and the fact that she can't remember anything."

"Mary and Joseph," her husband breathed out under his breath. "So what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to contact the FBI," Tyler said. "I just don't know how to tell them that I know who she is, she's just not here at the moment."

Part 10
Prompt - In peace there's nothing so becomes a man as modest stillness and humility. - William Shakespeare

"Morgan."

"Jason." Francis' voice was urgent as it came through the satellite cell phone. "Where are you?"

"Washington," he said. "I was looking around the area where Cameron was found. I didn't want to get too close to Oregon and the men who were looking into Franco's mom. I don't know if he's watching me; I flew out under an alias I've never used and transferred planes a couple of times and drove the rest of the way in instead of taking the most direct route. I should have let you know I'd be hard to contact. What's going on?"

"A sheriff in a small town in western Colorado contacted the FBI. He says he's got a woman there with amnesia who looks exactly like the picture of Elizabeth," the guard told him.

"What?" Jason demanded, already turning to hike back to the car. "What happened?"

"The FBI put Elizabeth's information out yesterday. It's been on the news everywhere. About her and the boys. Their pictures...they're constantly playing. Some sheriff in western Colorado contacted them last night and said that he had a Jane Doe in his town, hitchhiked her way in with some people who live there. She didn't know her name, didn't know where she lived, she just woke up along the side of the road a couple of weeks before that and had this feeling she had to get to Colorado. So she hitchhiked from Washington state and ended up in some small little town about a month ago. Sheriff put her picture into missing persons databases..."

"But nobody knew she was missing then so she wasn't there," the enforcer filled in the rest of the pieces. "So when he saw the news last night..."

"He thought it looked like their Taylor Buchanan," the other man confirmed. "He called the FBI last night. My guy got a ping this morning when Agents Quincy and Van Buren arranged a flight to Grand Junction. Looks like Steven Webber went with them as well. I called you right away."

"Thank you, Francis," he said. "I don't know how quickly I'll be able to get there. I don't have a private plane; I flew commercial. I got to get to an airport...I got to get out of this national park."

"Jason," the other man cut in. "Call me as soon as you're at your car. I'll see what I can work out. Time to worry about staying under Franco's radar is gone. Right now, you need to find out what's happening and I know you want to see Elizabeth. So do it. I'll make some arrangements."

"Thank you, Francis," he said, grateful to finally have something to go on. "I really appreciate this, man. I'll call you as soon as I get back to my car."




"Relax," Adam said as the plane approached Grand Junction. "Just relax."

Steven forced himself to release his clenched hands but looked at his friend with telling glare. "How?" he wondered. "How do I relax when we're this close to Elizabeth? Who...oh, by the way, doesn't actually remember that she's Elizabeth?"

"By being calm," his friend said. "Because I guarantee she's going to feel nervous enough as it is. She's been living without knowledge of who she is for months now. While it sounds like she was making a life for herself with these people, she would have to always been wondering if today was the day she'd get her memory back and remember what happened to her. So to see her face on TV; it's going to unnerve her. To hear that the FBI is coming to see her and bringing her brother; it's going to unnerve her. She's going to look at you, searching for some connection to you, and you need to be calm. Don't push her, don't be disappointed if she pulls away, or is reluctant to talk to you. Don't be upset if she stays more with this Waters couple that she was living with. They're familiar to her; you aren't."

"I know, Adam," he said. "I brought a few pictures like you suggested, but...how am I supposed to face her and have her know that I didn't even know she was missing? That I was out there looking for her? That our sister is the reason she ended up in this situation? What if she doesn't want to trust me because of what she's heard from the news? How do I even address Cameron, or Jake, or Aiden?"

"That's what we're here for," Jack spoke up. "And we've got counselors who can help you, Steven. It's going to be difficult. I won't lie and say it won't. But each person is different. I've seen people find out who they are and stay where they were because they never reconnect with their family, and I've known people who go with the family members even though nothing is familiar to them. We just have to see what your sister does."

The tired doctor rubbed his hand over his face and said, "I feel torn. I feel like I should be here for Elizabeth, but I hated leaving Cam. He was so frightened when Gram came over and he realized I was leaving. What if this sets him back? What if he runs away from her because he doesn't trust her?"

"That's why we left Agent Monroe there," Adam told him. "And your neighbors will check in, and he knows the Drakes. Hopefully we'll be able to convince Elizabeth to come back with us, and then you won't be apart from him."

Holding up a hand his friend said, "And we'll deal with Elizabeth not knowing Cameron and how to answer his questions, and her questions, when we actually reach that moment. For now, you've got to stop wondering what if, and what comes next and calm down. You are wound way too tight right now and if you don't get a grip on it, you're going to scare Elizabeth without even meaning to."

"I know...it's just so hard. It's like telling a patient to relax and rest; it just makes them more agitated and tense."

"Then have a drink," the other agent suggested. "Run some laps around the hanger when we land. Or we can find a deck of cards in this plane, I'm sure, and we'll start a game. But if you don't relax, not only are you not going to be of any help to your sister, but your hands are going to kill you from the way you're clenching them."

The humor made Steven laugh and he appreciated the men's efforts. He couldn't believe when someone had actually recognized Elizabeth and called. He'd expected her to be hidden away like Jake and Aiden; especially after Cameron was found. But she was in a town, surrounded by people, wondering who she was. It had been so easy; yet it also hadn't been. The local doctor had examined her, but Steven wouldn't feel completely comfortable about her memory loss until a neurologist looked at her. So even though they'd physically found Elizabeth, it wasn't really her because she had no memory of who she actually was. He didn't want to overwhelm her and scare her off, but he was really hoping for a miracle and that once she was around familiar people she would begin to remember.




Taylor didn't tell anyone, but she'd had a little drink this morning in order to help calm her nerves. A little of James' whiskey in her coffee when Charlotte's back was turned, and she felt that she might be able to face the fact that this guy claiming to be her brother was on his way out to see her. She wasn't entirely sure how she felt about it.

When she'd met Lottie and James in Utah and they agreed to give her a ride to Colorado, she thought they were just going to be another in the line of strangers who had helped her make her way from Washington to the place that was calling to her. Of course, all she knew was that she needed to get to Colorado. Where in Colorado she had no idea. Just like she had no idea what her name was. She'd seen a poster in a window for someone named Taylor Swift and had simply taken the name because she liked it. Nobody really pressed her for a last name until she met the older couple, and then they gave her a name in their family tree for her to use.

During the course of their trip, that's when she finally began to open up and explain everything. She didn't know her last name, she didn't know where she was going beyond Colorado, and she didn't know what had happened to her. The clothes she had first been wearing when she came to on the side of a road, but were by then stuffed into a bag some trucker had given her, were torn and dirty. She had some fading bruises on her body and if she wasn't careful, she could still get headaches from the knot that was even then receding on her head. The couple was concerned, especially about her hitchhiking across the country, but Taylor hadn't been.

She didn't know when, and she didn't know where, but she knew this wasn't the first time she'd hitched rides with strangers. She had stolen a knife from a roadside shop and had it in her pocket at all times. She trusted her gut about whether to get into the person's vehicle, and sure she had to put up with a few innuendos, but when they got to be too bad she simply stayed behind at a gas station or a rest stop and that was that.

That hadn't been good enough for Charlotte Wright, though, and the older woman who'd never been able to have kids, had quickly become Taylor's surrogate mother. She declared that Taylor could come stay with her and he husband, and when Taylor walked into their house, she felt like she'd come home. Lottie was an artist and the house, the outbuildings and the property were covered with her creations. When she discovered Taylor doodling one morning, she quickly cleared a space for her and let the young woman have room to create. And create she had. She'd painted, she'd sketched, and she felt like this was what she was made to do. After a week, she had so many items that Lottie suggested they take them to her friend who ran a store in town.

It was there that she'd began to wonder who she really was. Mrs. Fillmore slipped and fell and it was obvious immediately to Taylor that the elderly woman had broken something. She began to act without even being aware of it, but she assessed the injury, spoke calmly to the other woman, covered her and prevented shock from setting in and told Lottie to call 911. Instead, the woman called Doc, and Taylor had helped him care for the patient, giving the older woman's vitals crisply and professionally and helping take care of her. It had simply been second nature to her, just like picking up a paintbrush had been, and she wondered who she was.

That's when they talked to Tyler, the local sheriff, and they tried to find out if anyone had reported her missing. It was rather disheartening to discover that nobody had put a description or a picture of her into any database, and yet it wasn't entirely surprising to the unknown woman. It seemed like it was something she'd faced before; being forgotten by those around her. But the truth didn't matter to Lottie and James; they let her continue to live with them and in the few short weeks she'd been in town, she'd come to know and like the other citizens.

So it was a shock to her last night to get back from shopping and find the older sheriff sitting in the house with her friends. At first she thought she was in trouble because she didn't have a license, but that wasn't what Tyler came to talk to her about. He showed her a paper with her picture on it, and said that her name was Elizabeth Webber and she was missing from Port Charles, New York. That didn't make sense to her because she knew New York was across the country from where she'd woken up and it certainly hadn't held the pull for her like Colorado had.

But Tyler had shown her the news clips and she'd watched with numb detachment as some talking head explained how Elizabeth and two of her sons were missing. That one of her children had been found in Washington, that her family...well, her brother was taking care of him. The news personality went on to describe the sordid story of her sister betraying her, giving her youngest son to some old crone named Helena Cassadine and her middle son to some crazy, homicidal artist named Franco. None of those names made any sense to her, and she didn't feel any connection to the pictures of the children that were shown. She wondered how it was possible for her to be a mother, when she looked at those children and felt nothing.

She wondered if that's what she'd feel when she saw her brother that was coming out. Would she look at him and feel nothing? James and Lottie assured her that it was alright to be nervous, and that she didn't have to do anything she didn't want to do, but she knew that she would have people expecting her to go back to Port Charles. Should she? Should she figure out what was going on? If she didn't like it, James assured her she could always come back to Colorado.

But what did she really want to do?

Butterflies swarmed in her stomach, but they were drowned by the sip of doctored coffee she took, and her hand tightened around the mug when she heard the crunch of tires over gravel as cars approached the house. Shooting a nervous glance at Lottie, she was helped by the older woman's reassuring smile, and let out the breath that had gotten trapped in her throat. James stood and ran a hand over his silver hair and said, "Well, I suppose this is it, Taylor."

He looked at her with a confused frown and asked, "Do you want to stay Taylor? We know your name now."

"I...I feel more of a connection to Taylor," was all she was able to say before there was a knock on the door.

Her friend nodded and opened the door, greeting the sheriff first, and then the other men who were behind him. Taylor watched as they all filed into the house, a brown-haired man, shorter than the others coming in last. He looked around nervously and when his eyes fell on her she couldn't look away from him. There was something so familiar in the way he stepped inside the living room, a backpack slung over his shoulder and her eyes narrowed as she chased the thought. It was gone before she could even place it, but she knew the man's name.

"Stevie?"

Part 11
Prompt - "I've lived those seven days a thousand times." from Seven Days by Kenny Chesney

This one moment would forever be etched in his mind. It would help him when the memories of the past week, his fear, his terror, his anger, his despair welled up and threatened to overwhelm him again. Seeing his sister staring at him, confusion clear in her eyes...but also something more. Some possible memory of the past.

She hadn't called him Stevie since she was little. He could remember that day he came home from med school to see his family. His backpack over his shoulder, his duffle bag in his hand, Elizabeth had looked up from the side of the room where she was playing and squealed with pure delight. "Stevie! You're home!"

He'd been so much older than her and often didn't have time for the little sister who just so desperately wanted someone to pay attention to her. He'd patted her on the head, chucked her under the chin and then pushed past her to get inside the house. She was jabbering on about things...things he couldn't remember anymore, and he'd barely paid her any attention. He wanted to talk to their parents, do his dutiful son bit and then head out again with his friends. Hanging out with his little sister was not his idea of a good time. But he would forever remember that was the last time she'd called him Stevie. And it was the last time that summer that she'd been that excited to see him.

He swallowed thickly past the tears that had sprung to his eyes and said, "Hello, Lizbits."

Her head tipped to the side and she studied him for a long time. Finally, the smallest bit of a smile turned the corners of her lips up and she stepped towards him, holding out her hand. "Hi. I guess I'm Elizabeth Webber and you're my brother Steven Webber."

"Yeah," he confirmed, taking her hand and holding back from the hug he wanted to sweep her into. "I am. And I have to say, it is so good to see you again."

He let out a breath and felt his knees wobble slightly. "You can't even begin to imagine how good it is to see you. I...I was so scared, Elizabeth. And so angry with myself. I'd...I'd been sending you e-mails and thought you were answering them, and...and then..."

Adam touched his arm briefly and said, "Maybe we should sit down. I'm sure that Elizabeth probably is a bit overwhelmed, and has questions. We'll just sit down and talk; take it easy, there's no need to rush into everything at once."

"I'll make some coffee," the older woman in the room declared. "Or would anyone like tea?"

"Coffee's fine," Jack stated.

"Actually," Steven said. "Ju-just some water for me, please."

It took a few minutes of awkward steps, but then everyone was sitting down and Elizabeth was still watching Steven. He looked at her, still wishing more than anything he could give her a hug, but sensing that would be a bit more than she'd want at this moment. He took the glass of water from Mrs. Wright, thanking her and then cleared his throat after taking a sip.

"I'm not sure what I'm supposed to say," he confessed uneasily. "Do you have any questions? Do you want me to not say anything? I'm not sure what to do, Elizabeth."

"You didn't know I was missing?" she asked and he couldn't tell if she was hurt or relieved by the tone of her voice.

"I thought you were with Sarah," he answered. Then he clarified, "Our sister. You went out there not too long after you had your third child, Aiden. With the three hour time change, and a new baby, and my hours at the hospital, I was disappointed, but not entirely surprised we were finding it hard to connect on the phone. Sarah said Aiden was pretty fussy and having a hard time sleeping. You were tired, recovering from the birth, from his kidnapping, trying to give plenty of attention and time to Jake and Cameron."

He chuckled slightly, "In general, you were doing what you always do with your children. You were trying to be SuperMom. Sarah sounded like she was helping, and I was glad that things seemed to be better between you. You'd had some fights growing up, hadn't always gotten along...just like the two of us hadn't always been close when we were growing up. But when I moved back to Port Charles this last time, things really had improved between us and I thought maybe the same thing had finally happened between you and Sarah. With time and age and maturity, you'd gotten passed the past and were working on getting to know each other again.

"Anyways," he continued, "we were exchanging e-mails. You'd tell me things about the boys, talk about things you were doing with Sarah. We didn't delve too heavily into the stuff that had happened in Port Charles; part of the reason you went out to California was to clear your head, get some space and I didn't want to bring up Aiden's kidnapping or all the stuff with Lucky and Nikolas."

He paused and smiled ruefully, "You probably don't know those names. Sorry. I-I guess I'll have to explain all that later."

"That's okay," she said softly. "I...I want to hear this."

"So I didn't know what had happened to you, and really, that's my own fault," he chastised himself. "I didn't press Sarah harder to talk to you. I was getting frustrated about just missing you when I'd call, or that you were asleep, but you were a new mother. I was just glad that you were able to get some rest. I wouldn't have known what was going on if Cameron hadn't been found."

He shook his head, the excuses sounding weak to his ears. "I really am sorry, Elizabeth."

"You were lied to," she told him. "You were lied to by someone you didn't believe was lying to you. Because why would one sister lie about another sister and pretend she was there when she actually wasn't?"

"I just can't believe what Sarah did," Steven shook his head. "I should have gone with you when you flew out there. I should have been there."

She frowned at him, "Did you have reason to suspect Sarah?"

"No," he replied.

"Did you think I was incapable of handling myself or the children?"

He shook his head as a hint of a smile crossed his face. "No. You...you were really good with those boys. Sometimes they were rambunctious, as children are, but you were so good with them. And you were flying on Nikolas' private jet, so it wasn't like you had to go through security all by yourself. I knew that the staff on his plane would help you."

"And you're a doctor," she stated. "Right? That's what the news has said. You're the chief of staff at a hospital."

"I am," he confirmed with a nod of his head. "But I should have gone with you. What brother sends his sister off with three little boys and doesn't help her out?"

"Would you like it if I was mad at you?" she asked him. "That I blamed you for not knowing that Sarah was planning this? Or that this Helena Cassadine would be there?"

She tipped her head and said, "It seems to me that the people to blame are Sarah and Helena...and this artist, Franco. You didn't set me up; you couldn't have known what would happen."

Licking her lips and tucking her hair behind her ear she said, "You aren't to blame. And when you found out I was missing, you searched for me. You called the FBI, you went on TV. That doesn't seem like the actions of a brother who doesn't like me or who didn't care what happened to me. You looked for me. You...you're taking care of my oldest son."

She paused for a moment and then asked, almost timidly, "What's he like? How is he with everything that's happening?"

Her fingers twisted together in her lap and her voice took on a higher pitch, slightly frantic as she continued, "What am I supposed to do with him? I...I don't remember him, but he's going to remember me. What do I do?"

"We can work with all of that, Miss Webber," Adam said, gently cutting into the conversation. "We can take you back to Port Charles and you can meet him. Maybe that will spark something. But your brother has been staying with him, and I'm sure that he'll continue to stay there and help you if you want."

Elizabeth looked over at the couple she'd been staying with and the older woman smiled encouragingly at her. "All you have to do is at least meet him, Tay...Elizabeth."

"But what if he doesn't understand if I don't remember him?" she asked, tears coming to her eyes. "He sounds like he's been through so much. What if this hurts him? The last thing I would ever want to do is hurt a little child."

"You may not remember your past," Steven said softly. "But I don't think you've really changed. That is exactly what I would expect you to say. You are so compassionate and caring; it's what's made you a wonderful nurse and a wonderful mother. Cameron is...he's a great boy, Elizabeth; because you've raised him to be that way. And yes, right now he's frightened and he misses you. But...but there's a good FBI agent who's been talking to him, and I-I took him to a psychologist after we got home. She...she's really good. She helped you with some things and I believed you would trust her with Cam. She can help us figure out what to say to Cameron."

"Do you think so?" she asked, as her eyebrows rose hopefully.

"I really do," he nodded. "And she could probably help you as well if you wanted to talk to her. And I would like you to see a doctor as well, have a few tests run. If it's too overwhelming for you, then we'll adjust what we're doing. We'll take it slow, Elizabeth."

His sister looked at him and after a long moment said, "I don't know why, but I just feel like I can trust you. It's like how I knew which people were safe to get rides from and which weren't. I trust you. And if you're there...I think I can go to Port Charles."

"Your friends could come with you," the relieved brother immediately said, glancing over at the older couple. "So that you're not completely alone, or so that you have someone to talk to who didn't know you before."

She immediately looked over at them, seeking an answer from them, but not verbalizing it. Mrs. Wright said, "If you'd like us to."

"I-I don't know," she confessed, sounding confused. Steven could only imagine how hard this was on her. "Maybe."

"We can talk about it," Mr. Wright told her softly. "But for now, let's find out what else the FBI wants to do or has to say."

"We really don't have anything more to say right now, Miss Webber," Jack shook his head. "We have questions, of course, but they can wait a bit. They may help jog your memory; they may not. But your brother just wanted this initial meeting to confirm you were his sister. He didn't want to overwhelm you."

"Although I'm curious," Adam admitted. "Why you wanted to come to Colorado? Was it because you lived here before?"

Elizabeth looked at Steven and asked, "I did? We did?"

"Outside of Denver," he told her. "Our parents were doctors. I was in college."

"Was I happy here?" his sister asked him.

He sighed and said, "I don't know. I think you probably were. Our parents...they didn't always understand your artistic nature. And you fought a lot with Sarah, but most kids fight with their siblings."

"Did we fight?" she then wondered.

"I don't know that I was around enough for us to fight," he confessed. "I...I remembered a time I came home from college and you were so happy to see me and you called me Stevie. And I kinda just blew you off because I was too cool for hanging out with my little sister. I'm sorry for that, especially since we've gotten to know each other better since I've been back in Port Charles."

"Did you come in wearing a backpack?" Elizabeth asked, her eyebrows drawn together.

His heart thudded heavily in his chest and he nodded. "I did."

"When you came in here today...I felt like I'd seen you like that before," she said with a confused shake of her head. "So I wonder why I felt so drawn to Colorado instead of back to Port Charles."

"Maybe because your earlier memories of your brother are here," Mrs. Wright suggested. Looking at Steven she asked, "Is it good that that seemed familiar to her? Our doctor took a look at her, but we're a small town. He knew she needed tests, but Taylor...excuse me, Elizabeth, never really was interested in them."

"I think it might be a good sign," he answered. "It definitely makes me want to have her looked at. There's a pretty good neurosurgeon that I want to have take a look at her."

"Elizabeth?" the older woman asked his sister. "What do you think?"

"I-I guess so," she answered. "I'm nervous, and I'm not sure about seeing the little boy...Cameron, quite yet, but maybe things will come to me if I go there. Will...will you and James come along?"

"We will," she immediately answered. "We'll be there for however long you want us."

Elizabeth then looked at Steven and even though he could tell she was nervous and uncertain, she firmed her shoulders and said, "Then I guess we're going to Port Charles."

"Okay," the older brother smiled after letting out a breath. "Okay."

"We can leave whenever you want, Miss Webber," Adam said, as he stood. "I'll call the pilot and alert him that we may be going back soon."

"We have to get packing," the older woman said as she and Elizabeth stood.

"I should get back to the office," the sheriff said as he stood as well. "I guess you don't really need me here anymore."

"Thank you, Sheriff," Steven said as he turned towards the older man. "I can't even tell you how much I appreciate you calling the FBI. We've been really worried about her and I was scared we'd have a much longer wait until something turned up. I...I really am grateful."

"I know, son," he replied. "I can see it on your face. Just take care of her. We grew kinda fond of her."

"She often has that effect on people," the doctor smiled.

After a few minutes, Steven and the FBI agents were alone in the living room and he ran a hand over his face as he let out a sigh. Then he turned to them and asked, "How much do I tell her about her past? There are going to be people who are going to say things to her that she won't be prepared for if I don't say anything."

Adam shrugged as he looked at his friend and said, "I would keep anything you say to just the basics. Don't influence her memories; just give her the bare facts. Anything beyond that...just see if she remembers things and has questions."

"Yeah, I guess," he nodded slowly. Then he looked at the other man anxiously and asked, "But what happens if she doesn't remember anything and decides to come back here?"

Part 12
Prompt - Souvenir

"I am not sure I like myself," Elizabeth said as she sat near her brother that she didn't remember, but felt like she could trust, on a small sofa on the side of the airplane. "Everything you've told me...how could anyone like someone like that?"

"I think you're being a bit hard on yourself," he answered. "You always were. You always took the weight of the world on you and felt such guilt for your choices. While they weren't always the best choices, they didn't come from a bad or malicious place. You weren't intentionally trying to hurt someone else. In fact, you often tried to make everyone else happy, even if it didn't make you happy. And you tried to please everyone, and so it often led..."

"To great big messes?" she asked, lifting her brow. "Like the guy we saw at the airport? Jason Morgan?"

"I guess you could describe it that way," he said. "But again, it wasn't because you were trying to be mean."

"So telling a guy he's not good enough to be a father but a drug addict is...that's a good thing?" she wondered incredulously as her eyebrows rose. "And don't go giving me the whole 'he's in the mob' bit again. I don't understand how I thought a lie like who a child's real father is could ever be maintained."

"You were frightened," he told her. "Everyone was telling you to fix Lucky; that it was your responsibility."

"As if he's not an adult and couldn't, and shouldn't, stand on his own two feet," she scoffed. "What is it with this town? It sounds permanently screwed up. Why was it my responsibility to fix him? Didn't he have parents?"

"They weren't really around. His mother was in a mental institute and his father...well, let's just say that Lucky and Luke aren't very different," Steven said. "Luke doesn't take responsibility for anything."

"So...a mobster ends up being the father of my son, but everyone thinks my cop husband is," she continued. "Yeah...again, how am I supposed to like that about myself?"

"Look, Elizabeth," he said. "I don't know all the history between you and Jason Morgan. It's long, it's complicated, and even though you told me a lot of it this year, you also kept a lot to yourself. It was private and personal and I respected that."

She fell silent for a minute, thinking back to the encounter at the airport that still left her unsettled. The man didn't frighten her, but he was intense. Silent, but so much going on under the surface; it was very charged when she heard her name called out on the tarmac and this man came towards them. She'd stepped towards her brother, and then couldn't understand when he didn't seem too bothered, or even surprised, by the man's presence.

Even though she and Lottie and James had gotten packed up fairly quickly, her especially because she didn't have much, she hadn't left town right away. She didn't feel like she could just walk away without saying something to the people who had been so kind to her. Lottie had helped her give a brief summary of what was happening, but there were several people, like Mrs. Fillmore and the Doc who took a few minutes to talk to her. And gave her a little token to remind her of her time spent with them. If she hadn't taken that time, then they would have been gone when the mobster's private plane landed. Instead, she ended up having a very awkward encounter with her unknown past.

"Okay," she accepted, even though she really didn't like it. "But it doesn't seem like we didn't get along. Sure, it was awkward, but he didn't yell at me."

"No," her brother said. "I'm not sure he would ever yell at you, but especially not now. If anything, you should be yelling at him."

"Why?" she wondered. Then she said, "Oh, because he got back together with the woman who watched our son get kidnapped. Yeah," she wrinkled her nose, "that doesn't sound too good on his part. But seriously, after the things I did...who am I to really judge him? I was sleeping with one guy and claiming to love his brother. That doesn't sound too great; even if you give me the excuse of dealing with Jason Morgan walking away from me. That makes me sound as pathetic as Lucky who couldn't help himself whenever he cheated on me."

"It's a bit more complicated than that," he said. "But yeah, there were mistakes. You always admitted and owned your mistakes, though. It's part of what ended up sending you to Shadybrooke. It was tough for you to deal with what you'd been doing."

"So I had a breakdown," she shook her head. "That doesn't sound like some wonderful mother."

"You were human," the man across from her said. "And I know it's probably confusing since you don't remember the details or how you were feeling at the time. I'm just trying to tell you who the major players are in town and what you'll face."

"An abusive ex-husband who slept with our sister, got her pregnant and abandoned her and the baby," she said, ticking off the points on her fingers. "Marriage, cheating, a son whose father is dead, a son whose father is a mobster but only half the town knows that he's the father, and a son who was taken by the father's psycho grandmother to raise the next generation of ruthless Cassadines. A betrayal by a sister, a son found, two sons missing, and a baby daddy who's following us back to Port Charles."

She shook her head once again and said, "Yeah, I'll stick with my statement that I'm not sure I particularly like myself."




"Mr. Morgan, there is a call for you."

Jason frowned slightly at the pilot's voice over the intercom, but grabbed the cabin phone, "Morgan."

"Jason," Francis' voice came through with a slight scratch behind it. "I just heard from our guys watching Franco's mom. She got a package from Lincoln, New Mexico."

"Where?" he asked, sitting up straight in his seat.

"Place in New Mexico where Billy the Kid was," the guard explained. "Huge land dispute out there, really what made the outlaw famous."

"What was in the package?" he asked. "Do we know?"

"Our guys and the FBI found out at the same time. FBI had authority to go in. They seized the package, and investigated it. I'm sure they've already sent local agents there, and as soon as Quincy and Van Buren find out, they'll send agents there as well," Francis speculated. "But from what our guys could find out, it was something from the museum dedicated to the outlaw."

"This doesn't make any sense," Jason shook his head. "When Franco was in Port Charles the last time, we found out he'd been committing a series of murders along Route Sixty-Six. But this...where is Lincoln, New Mexico? Is it on Route 66?"

"No, it's in the southeast part of the state, from what I understand," the other man said. "I've been thinking about why he did this and my only thought is by now he has to know you realize Elizabeth and Jake are missing, and that you're out looking into things."

"So this is all just another wild goose chase?" the frustrated man growled. "Like when he was here last time and took Aiden and sent all the clues to get me out to Los Angeles to see his exhibit on my life? I don't like this guy and his games."

"I think it could be," the older man agreed. "And by being out in New Mexico where this famous outlaw was, it could be another one of his tributes to you. And it's probably not a coincidence that he used Billy the Kid. He's saying he has your son."

Jason let out a string of curses as he scrubbed his hand angrily over his face. "So what do I do?"

"I don't know, Jason," the guard said. "What do you want to do? I've ordered some of the men to leave Oregon and get to New Mexico. Do you want to go there?"

He sighed and looked out the window at the clouds and then said, "I don't know. By the time I got to Colorado...I nearly missed Elizabeth. But I saw her at the airport. It's her, and she doesn't remember anything. She looked at me and there was nothing but curiosity there. No recognition. Who was I and why did I want to talk to her? She was leaving with her brother and the FBI to go back to Port Charles so I'm following behind them. I think we're going to be landing soon."

"So you're closer to Port Charles than you are New Mexico," the other man stated. "Then it would make sense to go on to Port Charles."

"But what if I can find something in New Mexico?" the enforcer asked.

"Jason, you said it before," Francis stated. "This guy plays games with you. He would probably love nothing more than to send you all over the country, or even all the world, laughing as you search for any little clue. And maybe he'll leave something, but that's no guarantee that he'd lead you to Jake."

"But what if he'll only give the information to me?" he countered. "He took Jake as revenge on Elizabeth. To avenge me. He knew Jake was my son; he'd known for a while. But I wasn't with Jake. I didn't put guards on him any time Franco came to town. What if he thought maybe I didn't know that Jake was my son? What if he thought Elizabeth kept that from me and so he was punishing her?"

"But then because you went out searching, maybe he thinks you do know and this is something else?" the other man wondered.

"I don't know," he sighed. "I never understood this guy. He's a psycho. But what if he thought I wasn't with Jake because Elizabeth wouldn't let me be with him? I mean he had pictures of us together, and there was even a picture of me and Jake. He must have decided that I did know. But then after Jake's second kidnapping when Elizabeth and I stayed away from each other..."

"He put the blame on her," the guard caught on to what Jason was thinking. "He thought maybe you wanted to be with your son, but Elizabeth was the one who stopped that. So he took Jake to punish her. Then why not just give you Jake then?"

"Because the guy plays games. Maybe he wants me to work for Jake? Maybe he wants time with Jake to raise him up to be just like him," Jason said in frustration. "He used to say we were exactly alike. Killers who made art, but I always said he was wrong. What if this is all some part of his sick obsession with me? He takes my son away from Elizabeth who's keeping him from me, but then he plans to raise Jake and turn him into a killer like him before giving him back? Then I have my son, but he's a serial killer."

"Do you think he's planned out years on this?" the older man asked, his voice sounding stunned at the thought.

"I don't know," he said, irritation rising the more he thought about it. "Nothing this guy does makes any sense to me. But that's almost so stupid it would make sense to him. So maybe this is why I need to go to New Mexico."

"Listen, Jason," Francis' level voice cut through his growing frustration. "I think it's time I came to Port Charles as well. I need to be closer to this...to you, than I am down on the island. You need someone you can count on for some help. I'll bring my computer guy. He won't actually be in Port Charles, but he'll be close by. We'll help you figure this out. So go to Port Charles; see if you can talk with Miss Webber. Let the guards see what they can find. Talk with the FBI even; they worked on this Franco's case before. And I'll get up there as soon as I can and we'll go from there."

Letting out a breath as he felt some of the tension leave him, the enforcer said, "Thank you, Francis. I...I appreciate your help."

"Any time, Jason," he replied. "I'm here to help you. I'll call you when I know when I'll be there."

"Thank you," the worried father said, then hung up the phone.

He rubbed at his forehead as he looked out the window, his elbow propped on the leather armrest of the seat. He was grateful for Francis offering to come to Port Charles to be closer. He knew he was going to need someone close that he could trust, and not have to have their conversations always over the phone. He just wasn't going to fool himself that things would be easier once the older man was actually with him.

Sonny wasn't going to like that Francis was no longer doing the job he had assigned the guard. He wasn't going to like that men and resources were going into this search. The older man hadn't really been happy when Jason had called and said he was leaving town. He'd demanded to know what this meant about Brenda, who was going to keep her safe, and that was when Jason had told him that he really didn't know. Brenda had decided she didn't want him guarding her anymore and right now, he was more worried about Jake and Elizabeth and Aiden. Sonny really hadn't understood that, but Jason hadn't been surprised. Sonny didn't like anything that took his enforcer's attention away from what the mob boss deemed important.

Now that Elizabeth was back, but Jake and Aiden were still missing, it was not going to be an easy time in Port Charles. Sonny and Carly were going to descend as soon as they learned he was home, and they'd screech and yell about him not being there when they needed him and wouldn't like hearing that he may leave again on a moment's notice if he had to track down his son or Jake's brother. And he really didn't expect Sam to let Elizabeth's reappearance go without showing up at his penthouse. And Spinelli was not going to be happy to learn that Jason had been using someone else to do research for him.

His friends' unhappiness wasn't entirely new to him. They often didn't like it when he got involved with Elizabeth, and they'd never been particularly thrilled over the fact that the two of them shared a child. But the past two years, with Elizabeth out of his life, they'd had his focus on them. He tracked down Michael and Kristina, he went to prison to protect Michael, he came whenever Sonny and Carly called. He had no delusions that they would not be happy when he told them that his first priority was going to be finding Jake and Aiden. He could practically guarantee that he'd hear the words betrayal and loyalty tossed around by Sonny and wondered if the older man would even go so far as to order him not to look for his son.

With a shake of his head he realized that it really didn't matter what Sonny or Carly said this time. For too long he'd walked away from Jake and Elizabeth and he saw the clear results of that. If he hadn't ended things with her in the courthouse that day, she wouldn't have gotten involved with Nikolas or fought with Lucky. If he'd only put guards on her, then when Helena Cassadine tried to grab her and the boys, they would have had protection. There were so many things that he should have done and it was wrong on his part to not have done more for the mother of his child and her children. It was wrong to have turned his back on them like he had.

It was going to be difficult to deal with Elizabeth, even if she never regained her memory. But if she did, then he was fully prepared for her hurt and anger. He'd seen it when he'd moved on with Courtney so soon after she left his penthouse that fall day. He was pretty sure he'd see it again, especially after his involvement with Sam. But regardless of what happened, he wasn't going to stop helping her, or looking for her sons. But he really hoped they caught a break soon. Not only for her, but for those children. Those boys belonged with their mother, they belonged somewhere safe, with people who loved them and wanted to take care of them, not use them in plots of revenge. They needed to find those boys, and he really hoped that they found something somewhere soon.

Part 13
Prompt - Heaven is the place where everything that is not music is silence

Elizabeth stood outside, looking up at the two story house with its quaint porch and its blue door and wondered if the little spark she felt was actually a memory or if it was merely because the house looked cozy and home-like. Maybe it was because James and Lottie's house had been over-run with Norman Rockwell prints that James had liked for their Americana vibe, that the white support posts of the porch, the white, whicker furniture and the hanging baskets she was sure would have been filled with blooming flowers had she not been gone for the past two months looked inviting and enticing. She liked the look of the house she'd supposedly been living in and could see why she'd been there. Probably had a nice backyard where the children could play, the street was quiet, the homes were well-taken care of...it seemed like a nice place to raise a family.

The problem was, Elizabeth didn't feel any real connection to that family or this place. There were times she still felt more connection to Taylor Buchanan even though she knew that logically that woman didn't exist. She'd agreed to go by Elizabeth, just because she saw that it made her brother uneasy to call her Taylor and she didn't really know why but she didn't want him to be uneasy. Maybe it was because he seemed to be doing so much. When he'd heard she was missing, he searched for her; he called in the FBI, he went to the local mobster, he turned his back on their other sister and prayed long and hard for a miracle. He was taking care of her son; he was doing more in the search for the other two children than she was, because he remembered them. How could she disrespect all that he was doing and say that if given a choice between Taylor and Elizabeth she'd ask to be called Taylor?

Letting out a sigh she rubbed her hand over her forehead and looked at the man who was standing silent sentinel at the corner of the porch. She knew that his presence was as much for her brother and the son she couldn't remember, as it was for her. Not long after their plane landed at the airport, the man who had spoken to her in Colorado had arrived as well. He was still clearly so uneasy around her, but he also seemed to be kind. He asked her where she was going to go, offered her a safe house if she and her friends wanted it and told her that he wanted her to have guards because Helena Cassadine had to know she'd been found. If the crazy, old woman didn't know it yet, she'd know it soon. Apparently very little escaped Helena's notice. But there was also the danger of the man who took their son Jake, and Jason had made a mistake before by not protecting her; he wasn't going to do it again.

He was kind and said he might understand why she'd be uncomfortable with everything; she didn't know him or Steven or the people they were talking about, but he was also quietly insistent. While he didn't seem to speak much, when he did speak, she could tell it was coming from a place of sincerity. He was an enigma to her, just like her entire life was, and she sensed her brother had very hostile feelings towards the man. Hearing his explanation of her not being with the man who now seemed to be following her across the country made her not entirely like him; not protecting their son, getting back together with the woman who had watched their son get kidnapped...he didn't sound like a particularly great guy. But then, hearing Steven explanation of her actions didn't leave her with any real warm thoughts towards herself. It seemed like they'd both made some pretty serious mistakes.

She wasn't sure she could particularly trust the guy, no matter how sincere and earnest he sounded now, but then she had to wonder if he particularly trusted her. He was being kind, he was clearly trying not to overwhelm her, and so Elizabeth was giving him a break. She'd turned down his offer of a safe house, though, and said that she and her friends would be staying at a hotel. He'd offered to get her a room at his friend's hotel, but they'd declined. The local Best Western was just fine for them, even though it sounded like it was going to be complicated for him to guard. He made it work, though, and James and Lottie had been escorted to their suite while she went with Steven to the house she'd lived in with her children.

The opening of the front door pulled her from her thoughts and she watched as her brother exited the house. Crossing the porch and lawn and coming to stand by her at the car he leaned his back against the metal and crossed his arms over his chest. "If you're uncomfortable, we don't have to do this."

"I don't know what I feel," she told him honestly. "I was looking at the house, seeing if it sparked anything in me like I felt when you walked into James and Lottie's house and..."

"Nothing," he finished softly. While she heard some disappointment, there was still hope as he continued on. "That doesn't mean it will always be this way. We don't really know what injuries you suffered, Elizabeth. I know you're probably uncomfortable, so we don't have to do this. I'll take you to the hotel. Tomorrow...tomorrow I'd like you to get examined by Patrick Drake."

"He's the neuro guy, right?" she questioned.

"Yes. I spoke to him to let him know we were on our way back to Port Charles. He knows I want you to get looked at, and he agrees. He said he'd clear his schedule for tomorrow and then we can come in whenever you want. I..." The man standing beside her let out a breath and said, "I don't know what you want to do, Elizabeth. Like I told you...there are going to be a lot of people who are going to react to you coming home. Some of it's not going to be good. Some of it could be overwhelming. I just want you to feel comfortable. So if you'd rather wait until later at night when there will be less people there...then we'll do that."

"Why should I hide?" she asked him. "Because some of them aren't going to like me? Because I ran away after my son was kidnapped and I spent a stint in the mental hospital? I frankly don't care what anyone thinks about me. None of them are me...and none of them are my family. Let them say what they want. Frankly, I'll just tell them to shut up and get stuffed."

He laughed at the euphemism she'd picked up from the British ex-pats she'd been living with. "You sound so much like you used to."

Turning her head to look at him, Elizabeth asked her brother, "What do you mean? When you were telling me about my life before...I frankly sounded like an idiot. Agreeing to let a drug addict father my child simply so he could be babied and not have to stand on his own feet and be a man. Getting so upset over having an affair with my ex-husband's brother when the same man had slept with my sister that I ended up in the loony bin. That doesn't exactly sound like someone who would tell someone off."

"Maybe not," he agreed, a sadness coming into his eyes. "But you used to be such a firecracker. When you were a teenager, you were definitely not the good sister. I don't mean that you were awful or in trouble, and really, a lot of your rebellion stemmed from the fact that you were simply looking for some kind of acknowledgement and attention. Our parents...our parents were idiots. They left you with the neighbors while they went off to Africa. At the time, I was in med school and I was so wrapped up in my studies and trying to keep my head above water that I really didn't think about it. But now..."

He let out a breath and shook his head. "Now, I just want to find our father and break his nose."

"Steven," she gasped out. "You aren't a violent man. Besides...hitting someone seems to go against the Hippocratic Oath."

"For our father," he said, "I'd gladly make that exception. They sent Sarah to live with Gram because Sarah was the good kid. She was the good, perfect daughter. They left you with the neighbors in Colorado. I...I cannot believe that any parent would do that. They weren't orphans who didn't have any family members to help out. Even if they didn't want to burden Grams with two teenagers, there was still our mother's parents."

A dark pit opened in Elizabeth's stomach at that mention and she wrapped her arms around her middle. She was caught off-guard by the sudden feeling and she wondered if it was a memory and was about to say something when Steven kept going. She could always ask later.

"They left you with the neighbors because they didn't care," her brother confessed heavily. "And so you tried to act like you didn't care. You developed a mouth. Brash, sassy, definitely not sweet and complying like Sarah. But you weren't mean about it. It's how Gram knew you weren't trying to be trouble simply for trouble's sake. You were just reacting like a teenager to the unfortunate situation our parents placed you in."

"Then why would I want to go to Colorado?" she asked. "I mean...when I woke up on the side of the road and didn't remember anything...why did Colorado seem so important to me?"

He shrugged as he looked up at the stars and said, "I don't know. That's one of the things we could ask Patrick. Or even the FBI agents. It could be that you were getting some memories in chronological order. Maybe that's why Colorado came to your mind, but not Port Charles."

"Did I not like our mother's parents?" she asked.

He looked over at her, his brows drawn together and probed. "What do you mean?"

"When you mentioned that Sarah could have come our grandmother here and I could have gone to our mother's parents..." She shivered slightly and said, "I felt this sick feeling in my stomach. I just wondered if I didn't like them."

"None of us really like them," Steven admitted. "So actually I'm glad that you decided to hitchhike to Port Charles instead of going to see them. But that's also what I meant, Elizabeth. You hitchhiked across the country. You hitchhiked from Washington to Utah until you met the Wrights. You...you seem to have some of that attitude you had when you were a teenager. Saying you'll tell someone to get stuffed instead of standing there and letting them yell at you because you feel you deserve it."

He licked his lips and then said, "Please don't think that what I'm about to say means I didn't like you the way you were before. You were so compassionate, so caring, so conscientious...and I think you still are. It's why your nursing training kicked in when that lady in Colorado fell and broke her hip. You still have that in you. But...but I hope you'll also keep a little of this edge you've gotten back. Stand up for yourself instead of bending and twisting every which way trying to please others. It's not a bad thing to do that, and I just want you happy."

"I wasn't before I left?" she asked.

Letting out a breath he said, "I don't think so. And I don't think it was just because of Aiden's kidnapping. And it wasn't just because of the mess with Nikolas and Lucky. I think there was a lot going on with you and you were doing your best to be there for your boys and your friends and your co-workers..."

"Do you think it was because of this guy who's been following us?" Elizabeth asked bluntly. "You told me the history. We broke up; we were keeping our kid secret. Then he gets back together with the woman who watched our son get kidnapped."

The man beside her scrubbed his hand over his face and said, "I think that was part of it. I also think you just lost your way for a while."

She looked off into the distance, peering past the trees that lined the edge of the property and the houses down the street. "Very diplomatic answer."

"Look," Steven said. "Nothing is going to get solved tonight. It may not be fixed by tomorrow. Even if you wake up tomorrow and suddenly remember everything...there's so much else going on. You have so much to deal with right now...Sarah, Jake and Aiden...and yes, there are going to be a lot of people who are going to want to talk to you. I don't think we're going to solve anything tonight. So..."

"Stop worrying and borrowing trouble?" she asked, echoing a phrase Lottie had said to her many times when she would get frustrated she couldn't remember who she was or what had happened to her.

"Something like that," he answered with a nod. "Now...do you want to go look in on Cameron? He's asleep and he's out like a light. Or would you just like to go to the hotel and try this another time?"

Looking at the house with its glowing windows she pulled her lip in between her teeth and worried it. "I don't know. You're saying I'm different, that I have this edge about me. What if...what if that frightens him? What if he wakes up and sees me? I don't want to hurt him. He's been through so much already...what's it going to do to him if he sees Mommy and then realizes she doesn't remember him?"

"He's asleep," her brother stated. "And he doesn't really wake up when someone comes into the room. You can stand in the doorway so you can step out if he stirs. But, Elizabeth...it's ultimately up to you. I won't force you to do this. If you don't feel comfortable...then I completely understand. I want this to be your decision."

"I don't know," she said on a sigh. "There's a part of me that wants to, to see if seeing him...seeing a child I gave birth to, sparks something in me. And yet I'm absolutely terrified."

"Then you're not ready," he told her, and pushed off from the car to straighten. "Come on...it's late, let's take you to the hotel."

"No," she said instantly grabbing hold of his arm. "I..."

Trailing off when he looked at her she let out a breath. "I...I want to see him, and yet I'm scared. What if I never remember him? What if I never feel anything?"

"Then we'll cross that bridge together if it comes," he promised her. "But if you want to see Cameron, then we can do that. I'll hold your hand the entire time if you want."

Feeling silly, she still asked, "Will you?"

He looked at her with such tenderness and sincerity that it filled her heart. "I will," he promised her. "I will always stand beside you, Elizabeth."

She surprised herself, and him, when she suddenly threw her arms around him and burrowed against him. His arms hesitantly came up around her, but then tightened when she didn't flinch away. "Thank you, Steven," she breathed out. "You are the best big brother an amnesiac little sister could have."

Part 14
Prompt - When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt

The first thing that hit Jason when he opened his penthouse door was the smell. The unmistakable smell of Chinese takeout perfumed the air and wrapped around him before he even closed the door. Cartons, what had to be days' worth, littered the surfaces of the tables and desk and he knew there was no way Spinelli had eaten all of these himself.

Slamming the door behind him, he waited to see how long it would be before they arrived. A door was flung open upstairs and heavy footsteps pounded towards the stairs and then down. The hacker nearly fell into a heap at the bottom and Jason stepped back as another smell wafted towards him. Then he heard the unmistakable sound of three-inch heeled boots walk out of the kitchen and he looked over at Sam as she stopped near the corner of the stairs, a bottle of beer in her hand.

Crossing his arms over his chest he looked at the pair and asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Stone Cold," Spinelli smiled widely at him. "Goddess, see...I told you Stone Cold would be home soon after his plane landed. You thought he might not come right away."

Jason raised his brow and asked, "You've been tracking me?"

"But of course, Stone Cold," the younger man eagerly confirmed. "The Jackal wanted to know where his master was and what he was doing so that if he called, then his most humble servant would be ready to help out."

"If I'd wanted your help," he said, his jaw clenching, "I would have asked you."

"But Stone Cold, Junior is missing," the man protested. "Of course I would help find him."

"Jason knows that, Spinelli," Sam said soothingly, coming up to lay her hand on the younger man's arm. "I'm sure he's just tired."

Turning to pin a hard look on her he ground out, "What are you doing here?"

When she blinked at him he continued, "We broke up, Sam. I meant that. I told you to leave. I made it perfectly clear we were over when you showed up here the next morning after we ended things. I told the guards you weren't to be allowed up here."

Looking around he asked, "So why are you here?"

"Jason," she said, taking a step towards him but wisely stopping when he glared at her. "I know that you're upset. But I think you'll realize that I can help you. I've helped you with so much over the past couple of years. We got past things and we were stronger than ever."

Dropping his head he pinched the bridge of his nose and then said, "I...I can understand why you'd think that. And I'm sorry. But...but no, Sam, we weren't stronger than ever. If we were, why would I have gladly gone to prison for five years?"

"Because you love Michael," she insisted.

"I could have found other ways to protect him. I should have found other ways. I didn't have to go to prison. I went because I thought I had nothing else to do but to protect him. It was because of my mistakes that he was there," he pressed a hand to his chest. "And I didn't talk to you before I made that decision; I just made it and told you later."

"It's okay," she tried to assure him softly. "I know that Michael is important to you."

"He shouldn't have been more important than my own son," Jason countered and watched as she tried to hide her flinch. "You and I got back together because you were there. You admitted you were there on purpose...always hanging around hoping that we'd get back together. And we did. Because why not? You were there."

Her dark eyes searched his and then she finally said, "And the person you really wanted wasn't."

"I had to stay away from Elizabeth and her boys. It was the only way I thought I could protect them. There was simply too much of a risk for them to be anywhere near me." He let out a breath and said, "It was a chance I just couldn't take. I never wanted anything to happen to them again so I had to stay away."

He knew the minute she realized all the implications of what he was saying by the way her eyes widened and then narrowed into angry slits. "So you were protecting Elizabeth...but I was expendable?"

Letting out a breath he scrubbed his hand over his face. "I don't know if I really thought of it that way. I wouldn't let myself really think about Elizabeth or the boys. I just went along...and you were there. I wasn't deliberately thinking that if something happened to you or anyone else that was okay. All I know is that I knew I couldn't be with Elizabeth or Cameron or Jake because they had to be safe. Anyone else...I don't know that I really thought about things."

She shook her head and sneered. "You're a pig. And you're lying. I don't believe it. You told me you loved me. You made love to me again and again. Were you thinking of Elizabeth then?"

"No," he shook his head. "Because I wouldn't let myself think of her. If I had...I wouldn't have slept with you. It...it was a betrayal to Elizabeth and the boys."

Sam's eyes burned with fury. "A betrayal? To the woman who stole you from me. Who stole the child that should have been mine? How was it a betrayal to her?! You cheated on me with her!"

He licked his lips slowly and said, "You slept with Ric, Sam. We weren't together."

"I always thought you'd change your mind," she yelled at him. "You were supposed to realize you'd made a mistake and come get me."

Closing his eyes and looking away he was unprepared for the slap that hit his cheek and his eyes popped open to glare at her and grab her hand that was pulling back again. "Maybe I deserved that," he said. "But that's all you get. Don't forget all you did, Sam. You watched my son get kidnapped and you didn't even care. Elizabeth deserved it for having my child. We both made mistakes. Mine hurt you, but yours hurt an innocent child and his brother. Don't forget about letting Franco go so that I could stay out of prison. Then he took Elizabeth's son. He's the one who has Jake now. So maybe if you hadn't been so selfish none of that would have happened."

She wrenched her arm from his hand and stepped back, her eyes snapping with pure hatred. "You're blaming me for what happened? You were the one who never put guards on them. You claim you stayed away to keep them safe, but that's just a cop-out. You left them in danger. So don't you dare blame me for all of this!"

"I know," he nodded. "I made a lot of mistakes. That's why I'm looking for them now. And that's why I'm not using Spinelli."

He looked over at the hacker who was so obviously stoned and said, "I know I can't trust him. He'll choose you over me, or he'll keep you informed even if I tell him not to. I need people I know I can count on."

Jason blew out a breath and placed his hands on his hips. "We're done, Sam. Don't come back here again. And don't go having a moment of weakness in your anger. I'm not going to put up with anyone causing problem for the investigation to find Elizabeth's sons, and I'm not going to put up with anyone giving Elizabeth any problems."

She narrowed her eyes, but snatched her short leather jacket off the back of his desk chair and then stomped out of the penthouse, slamming the door behind her. The enforcer pinched the bridge of his nose and then turned to the other man in the room. He knew the kid wasn't going to remember much about this encounter, but he was going to finish it tonight.

"Spinelli," he growled out, taking a step towards the man. "Get your stuff and get out."

"St-Stone Cold?" he questioned, his eyes struggling to focus.

"It's not even about the drugs. It's that I can't trust you," he shook his head. "I can't afford to have you around anymore. You've got plenty of money; you can keep your P.I. business with Sam. But living here...it's not going to work anymore. And it's not going to work for you to work for me. So pack your stuff; the guards will help you if you need it. But you're not coming back here. If you forget anything, I'll send it to you."

Then he opened the door and told the guard he'd had waiting in the hall to help the computer hacker get his belongings, and then escort him out of the building. Then he told him to get some more men up here, because there were other things that needed to be moved out.




"What's going on here?"

Jason looked over when he heard Sonny's voice and sighed. He didn't feel irritated when the older man had to suddenly sidestep to avoid getting flattened by the men coming into the apartment carrying a sofa.

Sonny looked expectantly at him and again asked, "Jason? What's going on?"

"What does it look like, Sonny?"

"It looks like you're taking the sofa from my old apartment," he replied. "Question is, why?"

"'Cause I need a place to sit and that's as good as any until I get something new."

The other man walked around, moving out of the way of the guards positioning the sofa and his lips quirked up. "May I ask what brought about this sudden bought of redecoration?"

"Spinelli started smoking pot again while I was gone," he ground out. "I'm not going to sit around on stuff that smells like it."

"Whoa," the mobster rocked back on his heels. "Didn't think he was stupid enough to start that again."

"Well he was, and he was stupid enough to let Sam back into the place when I told her to get out and told the guards she wasn't to be allowed up here," Jason said. Turning to look at Sonny he said, "Listen. I highly doubt you came here just out of the blue. Spinelli was tracking me...I'm sure you've had men keeping tabs on me. What do you want?"

"You're right," the other man admitted. "My guys at the airport called me when you landed; told me you were home. I came over to talk to you."

"About what?"

"What have you found out about the Balkan?" Sonny asked. "I've had men looking into him but we haven't come up with anything. Brenda's staying at the MetroCourt and Jax," he rolled his eyes, "hired security for her. But you know Candy Boy can't protect her."

Jason placed his hands on his hips and looked down while blowing out a breath. Then he lifted his head and stared at Sonny. "I didn't leave town looking for clues about the Balkan. You know that."

The other man at least had the grace to look away. With a disgusted shake of his head the enforcer said, "My son is missing, Sonny. His brother. His mother. Now...Elizabeth was found. She has amnesia. She was living in some town in western Colorado. But Jake is still missing. Aiden is still missing. I've been looking for her, for them...I've been trying to figure out where Franco took my son."

When Sonny just looked at him blankly, he threw the candle he'd been holding in his hand because he had been packing up all the decorations Maxie had spread around his place. The mobster had also been looking at him expectantly, just waiting for him to get past this little moment and get on to what the older man wanted him to do. "You are unbelievable! My son, Sonny. You know that Jake is missing. You know I'm worried...I told you that when I came to you and told you I was leaving. And you're here asking me questions about the Balkan? You don't even ask me about Jake...you don't even care, do you?"

"Jason," the older man said, holding up his hands and taking a step towards him. "Of course I care."

"No, you don't," he shook his head. "You don't care. It's always about you. You encouraged me to take Sam back even though she slept with Ric, because you wanted to get under his skin. You were worried about Kristina and Alexis and wanted Ric to be needled. So I'm supposed to overlook that she was sleeping with my worst enemy. You want me to claim my son, not because you really care...but because you don't want me distracted. You want my attention solely on you. When Jake gets kidnapped, you're upset when I jump bail because then I'm in jail and can't help you. When I end things with Elizabeth...you didn't care. You were probably happy I could now focus on you and your kids. Your son's missing...send Jason to Mexico to find him...but don't look for him yourself. Your son goes to prison...let Jason go to jail to protect him."

"You're my enforcer," the mobster said, narrowing his eyes and lowering his voice. "You're supposed to take care of things."

"And you're the only one who gets to have a life," Jason replied with a slow shake of his head. "Your ex-girlfriend is in danger, so you want me to forget that my son is missing, that a serial killer has kidnapped him and you want me to go out and find information so that you can protect Brenda and be her hero and one-up Jax."

He pointed angrily away from him and his own voice lowered a notch. "I'm supposed to forget about my son simply to make you happy. Is that what this is? Is Carly bugging you? Complaining about Brenda being at the hotel? Are the two of you going crazy because Jax and Brenda might be spending time together?"

Sonny's jaw clenched and the younger man shook his head. "That's what this is about. You don't want Brenda around Jax. I need to protect her again. Then Carly will be happy as well because she won't be at the Metro Court."

Raising his brow he asked, "And who's supposed to look for Jake?"

"The FBI are searching for him," the older man said.

"When Michael and Kristina were missing, did you just sit back and leave it all the FBI?" Jason asked. "No. I was out there looking for him as well. We did everything we could to find him. Why...why would you expect me to do anything less? Why would you expect me to just walk away from looking for my son and his brother?"

"Because I need you here," Sonny insisted. "I need you to do your job!"

"I don't care about the job," he shot back angrily. "Don't you get that? I don't care what happens here. A madman has Jake. Helena Cassadine has Aiden. Those two boys could be anywhere in the world and who knows what's happening to them. Do you really think I'm just going to walk away while they're missing?"

"You've walked away to protect Jake before," the mob boss stated.

"And look what happened!" Jason yelled. "I made a mistake. I made a stupid mistake thinking that they didn't need guards. And look what happened. Franco's known all the time about Jake. He took him from Elizabeth thinking she was keeping him from me; that she wouldn't let me be around him. Who knows what Franco has planned, but the point is a killer has my son. And I'm not supposed to care because it messes up your plans?"

He shook his head angrily and said, "Get out. I'm not doing this. I'm not going to look for the Balkan. I'm not going to protect Brenda. The only thing I am going to do is find my son and his brother. I don't care how long it takes; that is my number one priority."

"You have other priorities," Sonny said lowly.

With a shake of his head he declared. "No, I don't. You've survived with me being gone before, Sonny. Well, do it again. Just because I might be in town right now doesn't mean I'm doing anything for you. Francis is coming and we're going to talk to Elizabeth, see what she might remember. Maybe I'll even go talk to her sister who was working with Helena. I am going to turn over every rock, follow every clue, do everything I have to in order to find Jake and Aiden and I'm sorry if you can't understand that or accept it, but right now I don't care. The only thing that matters to me is finding them."

The two men stared at each other for several long moments. Sonny wasn't happy, that was clear, but Jason wasn't going to back down. Not on this. Not now. He'd made too many mistakes, put too many other people ahead of Jake and Elizabeth and he wasn't going to repeat that.

"Fine," the mobster said with a huff. "Then you're out. I'll have Diane send you the paperwork."

He turned and spun away leaving Jason shocked in his wake, and was almost to the door when he lobbed one more bomb. "Carly knows you're here. Don't expect her to go away as easy as I did. I won't forget this, Jason; I won't forget what you've done."

Part 15
Prompt - What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Jason stared at the door where Sonny had been only moments before. The words that his friend had so casually said rolled through him and he couldn't believe them. Because Jason had insisted that he was going to look for his son, that he wasn't going to search for information on the Balkan when the organization had plenty of other men that could perform the task, Sonny was declaring their partnership was over?

While this wasn't the first time they'd split, he was still stunned at how easily the older man had jumped to that decision. When Jason had taken the business over before, he had talked to Sonny, pleaded with him to cease his path of foolish action and dangerous self-absorption. However, the other man had simply decided to sever all ties because he didn't like the way Jason was behaving. Not immediately doing what Sonny wanted, but instead fighting for his right to find his son.

This wasn't like Sonny dating Emily or making foolish decisions in his desire to fool and impress Kate. This wasn't even Jason dating Sonny's sister. This was his son. His son that had been taken by a dangerous and deranged serial killer and psychopath. Why would Sonny demand he stop looking for Jake when his friend knew how important family was? Had watched Jason struggle with not being in the little boy's life and his desire to keep Jake and Elizabeth safe. Sonny knew what it was like to have a child taken; the man had been frantic when Michael and Kristina went missing years ago. How could he act like Jason should just let the FBI find Jake so that he could go search for the Balkan and smooth the way for Sonny to be with Brenda? When his children had been taken the older man hadn't relied solely on the FBI. He had done everything in his power to find his children.

Why couldn't he understand that Jason felt the same way? How could he even ask Jason to give up the search?

His phone rang, breaking him from his thoughts and Jason reached into his pocket to pull out the device. He let out a sigh as he glanced at the screen, certain it would be Carly calling, or one of the guards from downstairs calling to let him know she had shown up and was on her way to his penthouse. Instead, a different number appeared and Jason answered it.

"Morgan."

There was a pause, and then the uncertain voice of Elizabeth reached his ear. "Um...hi. Jason. It's-it's Elizabeth. I was wondering if...if we could talk?"

"Yeah," he breathed out, his shoulders dropping in relaxation, despite her evident unease in her words.

"Are you sure?" she asked. "I know it's kinda late, but I was hoping...I was hoping we could talk. Tonight. Maybe....maybe you could come to my hotel room?"

"I can do that," he assured her with a nod of his head. "Is everything okay?"

"I don't know," she answered in blunt honesty. "I just wanted to talk to you."

"I'll be there in a few minutes," Jason told her as he walked towards the door, ensuring he had his keys.

"You know where it is?" she questioned.

He didn't like the mid-economy hotel she was staying at; it would be so much easier if she was at the Metro Court where Carly and Jax wouldn't object to his guards' presence, but he knew where it was. "Yeah," he told her. "Just wait in your room. I'll be there soon."




Elizabeth paced across the hotel room from the cheap drapes to the hallway door and back again. The carpet was already worn; her few minutes of pacing was not going to do anything significant to the industrial grade pattern. James and Lottie were next door in their connecting room and she'd spoken with them briefly when she got back from her house. But her friends seemed to respect that this had been a hard night for her and so they didn't press her for details or ask her how she was feeling. They just told her they'd see her in the morning and have breakfast together before Elizabeth's brother came to get her for testing.

As she was twisting her fingers together and ready to start another trip across the room, she heard a knock on the door and she jumped even though she was expecting it. Taking a deep breath and letting it out, she walked the few steps to the door, peered through the peep hole and then let Jason Morgan into her room. He stepped in, his shoulders hunched slightly and looking as uneasy as she felt. Oddly, it was nice to know that someone else was as nervous as well.

"Hey," he said as he walked in. "What...how are you?"

She shook her head and huffed out a breath. "I don't know. Confused. Upset. You name it, I probably feel it."

His brows furrowed and he frowned. "What happened?"

"Steven took me to the house," she said. "To see if it would spark anything, to see Cameron if I wanted to."

The man across from her took another step into the room and turned to lean against the closed doors of the TV stand. "What happened? You seem upset? He...he didn't push you, did he?"

"No," Elizabeth immediately shook her head. "He's doing his best. I'm sure he would love nothing more if I suddenly said I remember everything...or anything, but he's doing his best to be supportive. Doesn't push, doesn't crowd...it wasn't him that upset me."

The frown returned and he asked, "Then what happened?"

"I didn't feel anything," she confessed, nearly choking on the words. "I looked at that house and it looked warm and cozy and inviting...but it could have been any house in any town with any family living in it. It didn't feel like mine. No memory, no recognition, no...nothing."

"Elizabeth," he said gently, dropping his hands to his side. "I know that it's frustrating. You look at something or someone so hard, hoping for anything...and then when nothing comes, you feel like a failure. Or you feel like a disappointment."

"How could you know that?" she challenged him.

"Because I had an accident years ago," he said simply. "I hit my head and I forgot everything. I've never remembered my family; I've never remembered who I was before. They would come into my hospital room and cry and plead and push and I didn't want anything to do with them."

"Years?" she whispered.

He must have seen the look of horror on her face because he pushed off the cheap faux wood cabinet and took a step towards her. "Elizabeth, stop. Listen to me."

He didn't continue until she'd taken a breath and was looking directly at him. "What happened to me...that's not to say that's how your accident was. The doctors haven't even examined you, yet. I have brain damage; there's no chance of me remembering. You may have just temporarily forgotten; there's nothing to say that you won't eventually remember."

Jason let out a breath and then said, "Your brother told me before we left Colorado that he thinks you might remember things. That you had a vague memory of when you were a child and living with your family in Colorado."

"Tonight," she said. "Tonight I...when Steven was talking...I had this sense that I didn't like my mother's parents and Steven said that none of really liked going to see them."

"See," he told her. "That's something. There's no point thinking you'll never remember. You don't know that. You don't know where the injury was, what was the extent of it...let the doctors run some tests. And if it takes a while for you to remember, or you never do, your brother will still love you."

Her eyes went wide and she asked, "But what about Cameron?"

The panic and pain she'd felt earlier tonight began to return and she twisted her fingers in front of her again. "Tonight when I looked in on him...there was nothing there. His room looked so cute, all decorated with trains and he was sprawled out on his bed and..."

She took a breath and spun away. "There was nothing there. He was just this child. And I gave birth to him but I don't remember. He's going to see me and think I'm his mother and...and technically I am, but I don't remember being his mother. I don't remember him. I don't know anything about him, or being a mother, or what I'm supposed to do."

Her voice got high and frantic and the words tumbled out faster and faster. "What kind of person forgets their own child? How could anyone look at that little boy and not remember him? I saw him lying there and thought about what he'd think when he'd see me and how he'd react when he realized I don't remember him and all I wanted to do was take him in my arms and hug him. Because he's just a little boy and he doesn't deserve what's happening to him. He doesn't deserve to lose his brothers and his mother because I can't remember him. I felt awful and sick to my stomach and what if it's always like that? What if I never remember him? His first steps or his first word or the first time he lost a tooth..."

Her voice broke and her throat grew tight while her vision swam with tears. Jason moved to her and gently laid his hand on her arm slowly drawing her to him, his voice low as he spoke to her. She didn't hear the words, just the calming tone and she felt like a fool and yet she couldn't stop the panic that was bubbling up inside her.

"Shh, shh," she finally began to make out his words. "It's okay, Elizabeth. It's okay."

She tried to take a breath, felt it catch in her throat, but then she could inhale. Jason continued to gently rub her back and she felt herself center. Much like she had earlier in the evening when Steven took her into his arms when she was nervous about going into the house to see Cameron. But then it entered Elizabeth's brain that this man had once been her lover and while she couldn't remember him, that didn't mean he couldn't remember her. And it had been a while since they'd talked. More than that, the man had a girlfriend.

Slowly she straightened and pushed herself back, out of his arms. "I-I'm sorry," she apologized. "For getting upset like that."

He shook his head. "There's no reason to apologize. You're upset, and it's understandable. But..."

Letting out a breath and rubbing his mouth with his thumb he said, "But I really think it will be okay. I...I don't know the extent of your injuries; I'm sure you're going to see a doctor soon. However, it...it seems like you're remembering a few things. And even if you don't...your instincts are still there, Elizabeth. You wanted to hug Cameron and take away his hurt. That's because of the person you are. You are..."

He swallowed thickly. "You are so kind and caring and compassionate. You love your children with all your heart. You love those around you with all your heart. You want to make others happy, to take care of them. You..." He chuckled and continued, "You can get fired up, but you aren't an angry person. You don't hold onto it. Maybe sometimes you should, but that's not who you are. And when I listened to you talk about Cameron and what you felt tonight...I knew that even if you don't ever remember him, you will find a way to be his mother."

She merely listened to him and he let out a sigh. "I know that with Steven, and Robin and Patrick...your grandmother...you will have people who will help you. And you'll find a way to explain this to Cameron. And in time, he'll be okay. Because he will have so many people around him who will love him, and you...you already love him. Even if you don't recognize it. It's in you. So I know that you will be fine with him. And when we find Jake and Aiden...you'll feel the same about them."

Elizabeth sat down on the chair by the small desk and asked, "Do you really think so? I...I feel so lost and confused right now. Like I don't know which end is up."

Sitting down on the edge of the bed so he could face her he leaned forward and braced his elbows on his thighs. "I do," he nodded. "I know right now seems pretty confusing. When I woke up...everyone pushed and pushed and I couldn't remember and I didn't know who all these people were. I...I reacted badly. I didn't give them a chance. But they also didn't back off and give me space. But my case isn't like yours."

"That we know," she said.

He nodded his head once. "Right. That we know. But I really don't think it will be. But we'll find out. And once we know...we'll go from there."

He sounded confident like her brother and Elizabeth could almost find herself believing in them, letting go of some of her fears. She would have the tests tomorrow...and then they'd know what they were facing. Blowing out a cleansing breath, she drew her legs up, hugging her knees while resting her feet on the seat of the chair.

"Thank you," she told him. "I...I really appreciate you coming over here tonight. I didn't mean to break down on you."

"It's okay," Jason told her. "I think it's only natural at the moment. And I'm glad I could be here."

"There were actually some other things I wanted to talk to you about," she confessed after pausing.

His eyebrows rose slightly, but then he asked, "About what?"

"I wanted to talk to you about us," she answered. "Our past. Our son. Steven's only told me a few things. Things that I guess I told him. But...I wanted to talk to you. To get your side of the story."

"Okay," he said slowly.

"I wanted to ask you a few questions," she continued. "And...and to apologize to you."

His brow furrowed. "A-apologize? For what?"

"For asking you to give your son up," she told him and could tell that she shocked him by the way he sat back. "The things Steven's told me...I don't like myself."

"Elizabeth," he tried to cut in.

"I mean...what kind of woman asks a man to give up his child and let a drug addict raise him?" she questioned, looking at him with wide eyes. "I don't know how you can look at me and not hate me."

"There's...there's a lot you don't understand," he told her. "That probably Steven doesn't know about, or doesn't understand."

"Maybe," she conceded. "But that's what I want to know. What you can tell me."

Then she looked down and picked at a spot on her knee and said, "And...and I would really like to understand how I ended up between Lucky and Nikolas, but you probably don't know that. But maybe you can tell me how you ended back up with Sam."

Part 16
Prompt - It's not easy taking my problems one at a time when they refuse to get in line. ~Ashleigh Brilliant

Jason was not surprised to have Elizabeth ask him about Sam. It was a question he had anticipated, although not completely in this manner. He had expected it when she regained her memories, when she remembered their shared past and the times she had seen him with the other woman. But Elizabeth's voice was now detached yet curious, interested without being accusatory or judgmental.

"How I ended up back with Sam?" he questioned.

Her head bobbed just once. "Yes. See, when Steven talks about you, there is this undercurrent of anger there. And a lot of it is centered around Sam. He's told me what I apparently told him. That she knew Jake was your son, but never said anything to either of us about it. She watched our son get kidnapped, but didn't stop it, and tried to impede us finding him. She hired men to come after Cameron, Jake and I in the park with guns. You found out about it and told me that she'd never hurt us again. So, when he tried to tell you that the boys and I were missing and he found her at your penthouse, he figured the reason you didn't meet him was because you didn't care. After all, you went back to the woman who had told me during Jake's first kidnapping that we were even now because both our children were dead; so I must not have mattered to you."

"Steven's wrong," Jason ground out through clenched teeth.

"I will admit that I think he's a very protective brother and he watched me go through some painful times, so of course his feelings and loyalty are going to be with me," she conceded. "I don't know what exactly I told him, or how exactly I told him. I'm just repeating what he's repeating back to me. I don't know my feelings regarding it then, but I know what my feelings are regarding it now."

He was almost hesitant to ask, but he forged on. "And what are you feeling?"

"I think we both screwed up," she said bluntly. There was no malice behind her words, just simple truth.

"Like I said, I don't know how you can look at me and not hate me because I asked you to let a drug addict raise your child." With a shake of her head she added, "I didn't trust you enough to keep your son safe. That had to have hurt you. I'm sure it also angered you that I kept protecting someone else who had lied to me, cheated on me, hurt me and my children...I'm sure you were wondering what I was thinking. I listen to Steven talk about my relationship with Lucky Spencer and I wonder what I was thinking."

She shuddered and hung her head. "I don't like hearing those things. I'm almost glad I can't remember because I don't know how you can excuse something like that. How can you come up with some kind of explanation that justifies what it did to you, to me and especially those boys? And then to hear about my affair with Nikolas and lying to Lucky and then getting so upset over being found out that I went to a mental hospital...I just..."

Looking up at him and cringing she said, "I just...ugg. I can hardly think of a reason to like someone like that."

"You're judging yourself without your emotions, Elizabeth," he told her gently. "You're not being fair to yourself because you don't remember all the little details of the moments, or what you were feeling during that time."

"But isn't that a good thing?" she wondered with a lift of her brow. "Sometimes we need to take the emotions out of things and look at the decisions and the actions. Not make justifications because of our emotions. And so that's why I'm asking you about Sam."

She tipped her head to the side and rubbed her forehead. She looked exhausted and Jason was tempted to tell her that they could do this another time, that it looked like she needed some rest, but he didn't think she would agree, and maybe it was better just to get this all out in the open instead of putting it off.

"There must have been something that led you to get back together with her. To get past what she did to our son. Maybe if you can explain it to it will help me understand. Maybe I'll be able to look for some reason why I did what I did. But also, it will help me understand you. If...if my memories do come back," she said, now talking softer. "I'm sure there will be emotions as well. If you...if you explain it to me when I don't have emotion clouding my judgment...then maybe I'll understand. Maybe I won't get angry with you and do something stupid like tell you not to look for our son as if that's some kind of punishment for you. I...I'm just trying to make sense of things any way that I can and find some way to reconcile the thoughts I'm having now about things we did in the past."

Jason scrubbed his hand over his mouth and let out a heavy sigh and then said, "I'm not sure I can give you an explanation that will make sense to you, Elizabeth. I-I...I'm not sure I can give you an explanation that will make sense to me."

She tipped her head slightly to the side, just watching him, letting him speak and he looked down at his hands clasp together. "Sam and I...we just ended up back together. She was there. She was helping me with things and...and I didn't really have to think about it or work for it."

"She wanted you," Elizabeth surmised.

"Yes," he nodded. "I...I think she was quite happy when you and I broke up. She was dating Lucky, but...but I don't think she was satisfied with that. She started coming to me, telling me things she was doing to look into the Russian mob who were in town, offering me help, asking for mine. I wanted them gone, so...so I let her help me."

Blowing out a breath he said, "I realize now it had to hurt you. There...there was this time she and I were on a ship and we had to jump in the water and we went back to my penthouse to get dry and Maxie saw us there and then she couldn't wait to go to the hospital and tell you about it. She...she hasn't liked you because of her part in Lucky's drug addiction and you came over to the penthouse and asked why Sam was there and why did she get to be around me after everything but I was pushing you away. I didn't really think anything of it because it was business. And I was doing what I was doing to get the Russians out of town to protect you and the boys...but I wasn't really being fair to you. I knew what Sam had done to me, to you and to our son, and I'm sure it had to hurt. She helped me find Jake after he was taken...ran to the car and jumped right in and I took off. Never went to you and comforted you, or talked to you, just left you there when our son was kidnapped. That...that wasn't fair to you."

Scrubbing his hands over his face, Jason stood and paced away from her in the small room. "When we broke up after Jake was found; when we agreed that we had to do everything to keep the boys safe and that meant we couldn't be around each other...I meant it. I kept to it. And...and I meant it when I told you that I loved you and that if I couldn't be with you I wouldn't be with anyone. But then...months passed. And Sam was there, slowly working her way back into my life through Spinelli, helping me with things and she helped me track down her sister and Michael and then..."

"You didn't want to be lonely anymore?" she asked him.

Whipping his head around to look at her he opened his mouth to speak but she held up a hand. "I...like I said, Jason, I'm not judging you with emotion. From what Steven's told me about the way I acted...I have to think there was this part of me that just didn't want to be alone. Or wanted to find something that hurt worse than what I was going through. Why would I constantly go back to Lucky when he's treated me so horribly? That...that's the actions of a battered woman and I just...I cringe at the utter stupidity I showed. So I must not have really wanted to do that, so I began sleeping with his brother. And sure it hurts Lucky, but it also hurts me. I do something so destructive to blow my life apart because what life did I really have? The man I loved, I couldn't be with...so I might as well be with someone."

Looking at her curiously, he went back and sat down on the bed across from her and asked, "Is that something Steven told you, or...or is that something you've remembered?"

Her brows furrowed as she blinked her eyes and she fell silent. Her head tipped to the side and it was obvious she was thinking, looking inside, analyzing the words she'd just said. "I-I don't know," she admitted. "Steven's told me some of that, but some...some of that just came out. I didn't even really know what I was saying. But when I think about it, when I try to see if there are memories there...if I'm remembering something I can't even remember what I was saying."

Elizabeth squeezed her eyes shut tightly and rubbed at her forehead. Blowing out a huff of frustration she opened her eyes with a shake of her head. "I don't know. I...I really don't know."

"That's okay," he told her gently. "But it could have been something you remembered. Because...because it seems like something you would do. I'm not saying that harshly, Elizabeth. I'm not saying that to be mean. I'm...I'm just saying that I think you were as confused as I was during that time. I couldn't think about you and the boys because it hurt too much. I couldn't drive by your house or go places where I might see you and when I would see you...it hurt so much. When I was throwing myself into my job, doing everything Sonny and Carly needed me to do, taking off to find Michael, or making deals or...or being with Sam...then I didn't hurt as much."

Jason lifted his shoulders on a slight shrug and said, "It's not a good explanation, really. It...it doesn't make me look good."

"Jason," she interrupted. "I went back to a guy I didn't love and was sleeping with his brother, another guy I really didn't love but claimed to...all in this attempt to destroy my relationship with Lucky because I was apparently too weak and too much of a coward to tell him the truth that I really didn't want to be with him."

Her face twisted and she shook her head. "That really doesn't paint me in a good light. You were trying to make your way through this as much as I was."

"But I got back together with the woman who watched our son get kidnapped," he confessed. "I told her I loved her. I told her she'd make a good mother. I was making a life with her."

"Yeah," the woman before him nodded her head. "Not the best moment. But I screwed up plenty as well. I...I guess what matters is what's happening now."

"You mean," he interpreted what she was searching for. "Am I still with her now?"

When Elizabeth looked away he knew that's what she meant. Jason was glad he could honestly tell her, "No. I'm not. I...I ended things with her even before you were found."

Her eyebrows went up slightly and she glanced at him while he continued, "I realized some things when I heard you and the boys were missing. I realized that I should have put guards on you. That it was foolish of us to think that Jake's paternity would remain a secret when so many people knew."

He pursed his lips and ran his thumb and forefinger over them and said, "You talk about not liking yourself and how can I look at you and not hate you for what you did...well, sometimes I wonder the same thing."

"What do you mean?" she asked, her brows drawing together curiously.

"You were left with so many of the decisions, Elizabeth," he told her. "No...in the beginning, it was you wanting to protect Lucky. But later, you were open to a different way. You were...you were asking to be together with me. For us to be a family and I was the one walking away. I was the one saying no. We...were just could never get on the same page at the same time and sometimes I think we just took that as proof that it wasn't supposed to happen instead of fighting harder. I knew there were times you were scared, and so was I. But I capitalized on your fears as a way to justify and excuse us not being together. For not coming out in the open and admitting that we loved each other, that Jake was my son and that we were going to be together as a family. You offered to run away with me after Michael was shot. Pack up the boys, leave your job and your friends and I turned you down saying I couldn't leave Carly and Michael. I kept pushing you away, basically saying other people were more important than you and the boys. I'd...I'd get so frustrated that you kept pushing, kept trying for us to be together. I was turning down this beautiful, precious gift you were offering me...that I wanted...because I was scared. And I was foolish. There were so many people who knew that Jake was my son; it was foolish to think that we could keep it secret. Or that someone wouldn't figure it out, especially as he got older and really began to look like me."

He blew out a breath and said, "I told you that I would be alone if I couldn't have you and then I got back together with Sam. I told you that I was too dangerous to be around, and then I agreed to be the godfather to Carly's daughter. I was around other children, other mothers, other people...but not you. Not our son...not our family. You may not remember it...but I know it had to hurt you. I-It probably made you wonder what was wrong with you and our son."

Rubbing his eyes, Jason said with regret, "I am sorry for what I did. For not having more faith in you, for not having more faith in us...for not being stronger. I always told myself that I wouldn't be able to handle it if something happened to you or the boys because of my lifestyle...and then look what happened. You were missing, Cameron was found scared, scarred, betrayed by his aunt, ordered to be killed by Helena Cassadine. We both were so focused on the danger I presented, that we never seemed to think about the danger Lucky Spencer was because of the feud with the Cassadines. And you were missing, your sons were missing...and I...I could have prevented that if I'd had guards on you. If I hadn't walked away from you. I...I couldn't stand back and do nothing; I had to search for you."

Taking in a deep breath and letting it out he admitted, "Sam didn't like it. She's...she's always been unsettled because of Jake. But as long as I was ignoring him and you...well, it was okay. But then I heard you were missing. And I wasn't around, I was ignoring her, not talking to her, not letting her in to help me. I realized what my actions had been, I realized what I'd done in getting back together with her and I didn't like it. We had a fight and I told her we were done. I was going to search for my son, I was going to search for you and I was going to search for Aiden. I didn't need her help; I didn't want her help. It's...it's not going to be easy for her now that she knows you're back."

Lifting her brow, Elizabeth asked, "Are you...upset by that?"

"Only for what I'm sure she's going to say to you," he replied. "For the attacks I'm sure she's going to try to make on you, for the blame. I...I'll tell your guards not to let her around you; you don't need her getting in your face. Her anger is at me...but she doesn't like you. You had my son, you had my love...and while I may not have been with you anymore...I left her the minute I heard you were missing and went searching for you. She knew it wasn't just Jake I was searching for. She knew I was searching for all of you. She's...she's not going to react well to that."

She nodded her head and said, "Kinda like Lucky, I'm sure. He's always hated the times I turned to you."

Again, he wondered if Steven had told her about that, or if she remembered, but he didn't ask this time. It was getting late; he could see she was tired; she had medical tests the next day. He was weary after their conversation. And really, it didn't matter how she knew what she'd just said, it was the truth.

"Yeah," he nodded.

"I'm not looking forward to seeing him," she confessed. "But I'm sure I will. I'm sure he'll hear I'm in town..."

"There are a lot of people who will hear that," Jason said. "Just remember...you don't have to talk to them. They don't have the right to harass you. Tell the guards to keep them away."

"Yeah," she said slowly. "I...I guess."

They fell silent and she leaned her elbow on the table beside her and rested her head on her hand. Jason cleared his throat and said, "I should probably go. It's late...I'm sure this has been a very hard day on you. You've got tests scheduled for tomorrow...I should let you get some sleep."

"Yeah," she nodded. "I...I do feel tired now. When I came back...I was so agitated and...and I all I could think about was calling you. I know this has to be weird for you. I don't remember you...I'm asking all these questions."

"I understand," he told her.

She tipped her head and looked at him. "Yeah...I don't know why...but I felt you would. When you saw me at the airport, and you gave me your cell phone number and said you'd come if I ever called you...I don't know. I just felt like I could call you."

"I'm glad you did," he said. "And I hope you know you can call again. I'll try to help you however I can, Elizabeth."

"Thank you," she said softly.

He knew he had to go, and so he forced himself to stand. "Good luck with your tests tomorrow," he told her. "Will...will you let me know what they find?"

Elizabeth looked at him almost shyly, but nodded, and Jason knew that her trust and acceptance of him may change when her memories came back. But for now, he was glad for this time they could be together. For however fleeting it might be.

Part 17
Prompt - The truth will set you free but first it will make you miserable. ~ Jamie Buckingham

The door opened and Elizabeth looked over, surprised at how quickly the medical personnel were returning when they'd only left a little while ago to get the test results and see if there were further tests they wanted to run today. However, the person stepping inside the room her brother had arranged for her to rest in after the long CAT scan was definitely not someone from the hospital. She watched the brown-haired man as he closed the door and looked at her silently. Crossing her arms over her chest, she arched her brow and demanded, "Who are you?"

He looked slightly sad as he said, "I'm Lucky. Your husband."

She rolled her eyes and said, "I think the appropriate term is ex-husband. And how did you get past my guards? They aren't supposed to let anyone in but hospital staff."

"Jason Morgan is not going to keep me from you," he declared. "I heard you were in town and I came to see you, Elizabeth."

Taking a breath she said, "Whatever you have to say, just say it. Then you can leave."

"Why are you acting like this?" he asked. "I know that you have amnesia, but there's no reason for you to be nasty."

"Nasty?" she repeated, her brow going up once again. "I'm sorry, how exactly should I act?"

Tilting her head to the side she wondered, "Should I be happy to see the man who cheated on me with my sister and ditched his child simply because he wasn't mine? And then she's so mad at me and you that she betrayed me to some psycho old woman who hates your family? Should I be so glad you could take time out of your busy police schedule...or are you pretending to be a spy now, to talk to the man who never once tried to contact me or the children he's supposedly gone all over town proclaiming he loves so much? Or how about should I welcome the man who apparently called me a bitch and a whore and a slut and yelled at me for sleeping with his brother while apparently forgetting that he'd slept with my sister?"

Looking expectantly at him, Elizabeth asked, "How exactly should I act, Lucky? Since apparently you are such a paragon of behavior and etiquette. I'm sure you have tons of ideas on how I should react in this moment."

He crossed his arms over his chest and said, "Are the claims of amnesia false? Or are you really going to listen to the lies your brother tells you?"

"Wow...think you'll win points by calling the man who searched for me and my children a liar?" she laughed. "I guess you really are delusional. It's not just Steven who's telling me things. I've heard it from the doctors and nurses who are running the tests. My former co-workers. I heard about the affair you had with the candy-striper stealing drugs from the hospital and you were coming to my workplace accusing me of having an affair. I've heard it from the FBI who laid out the facts about what Sarah told them about why she turned me and my children over to Helena Cassadine because you refused to acknowledge her son. I may not remember those things, but somewhere, the truth must be inside me because when they tell me those things...I believe them. There is something inside me that can fully believe that you'd treat me that way."

Licking her lips and taking a breath she repeated, "So, why don't you just tell me why you're here?"

"I came to see how you were," he told her, stepping towards her and looking at her with what she assumed was supposed to be concern and caring. Instead, it just made her skin crawl. "I came to see how Cameron is. Steven won't let me see him. He said that your will left him custody of your children if anything should happen to you. I...I have to tell you, Elizabeth...that hurt."

"Sorry," she quipped sarcastically. "I must not have thought it was a very good idea to leave them to the man who screamed and yelled at me and couldn't be bothered to see them or ask about them because he was too mad at Mommy."

Holding up her hand she said, "Yes, Steven told me I told him that. And you know what...I believe him. I made a decision about my children. I made it after I had Aiden. I made it after I got out of Shadybrooke. I may have let myself get twisted up with guilt over something that you did as well, but I apparently had enough thought and clarity of mind to know exactly who I did and did not want around my children. You didn't qualify."

"I'm those little boys' father," he snapped at her.

Wrinkling up her nose she said, "Actually...you're not. You're not Cameron's father. That's apparently someone named Zander Smith, who's dead. And you never bothered trying to adopt him. You're not Jake's father. That would be Jason Morgan. And you know you're not Aiden's father. So...you don't have any claim on them. And frankly...I'm glad. I don't remember you, but already I'm wishing you'd forget about me and get out of my room. So I certainly wouldn't want you around my children."

"You know," he sneered. "You say that, but yet you always change your mind. You always come running back to me. I move on, and suddenly you decide you want me back."

"That may have been," she said, disgusted at her former self. "But I wouldn't count on it now. Because even if I do remember you, I'm also going to remember this. I'm going to remember how I feel right now. How you make my skin crawl. How I want to go take a shower as soon as you leave. I've heard about everything you've supposedly said and done to me, and yeah, it sounds like I screwed up plenty in regards to you as well. I'll admit that. But don't think that if I get all my memories back that I'm suddenly going to come running to you and want to get back together with you. You're a man who walked away from your child. Who abandoned him and never even cared."

"So did Jason Morgan," Lucky said heatedly. "He walked away from Jake...and from you. He got back together with Sam. He didn't want you, Elizabeth, and he didn't want your bastard. He was happy to toss him off on me to raise. So you're going to judge me for something your precious Saint Jason did as well."

"I'm going to judge you on your actions, Lucky," she said. "The man who slept with my sister and lied to me about it, but screamed at me for sleeping with his brother. Who knew he had a son, and never did anything to help him. Who thinks nothing of coming into my hospital room and acting like a little child all because I'm not acting the way you want. Was I supposed to be so grateful to see someone from my past that I looked at you in adoration? What? What exactly did you think you would accomplish coming here?"

She shook her head and said, "I don't know what your motivations are...and frankly, I don't care. I want you to go, Lucky. I want you to leave me alone."

The door opened and her guard stepped in, "Yeah, I thought so."

He stalked over to Lucky and grabbed the man's arm. "Your little Irish girlfriend wasn't that clever and after she'd led us on a little chase, we realized what she was doing. And so I came back here, because I know you were in Ireland and you brought her back with you. So I figured you couldn't be far behind. You aren't welcome in Ms. Webber's room. If she wants to see you, she'll call you."

"Elizabeth," Lucky turned to look at her. "Tell him."

"Tell him what?" she questioned, lifting her brows as she looked at him. "Why am I not surprised that you're using your current girl to get into your ex's room? How does she feel about that? And do you even care?"

The tests, the drugs they'd given her so she could relax and be still, and especially her troubled night and limited sleep were catching up with her and she shook her head to hide a yawn. "Get out, Lucky. I don't want to see you. And if I do get my memories back, I'm also going to remember this. So just go away."

"You heard the lady," the beefy man said, pulling Lucky and forcing him to move. As they reached the door he looked back and said, "I apologize for this Miss Webber. I promise you, it won't happen again."




Jason clenched the phone and growled out, "You make sure you stay on your post from now on; understood?"

After assurances from the man on the other end, he snapped his phone closed and tossed it down on the desk. The man across from him looked at him curiously and asked, "Everything alright?"

"Lucky Spencer got into Elizabeth's hospital room where she was resting after her tests," he huffed, still upset. "His...girlfriend he brings back from Ireland went up and distracted the guards. Not some typical girl fluttering her eyes, she...she acted like a threat and when they went to intercept her she led them on a chase. Lucky slipped into Elizabeth's room."

Francis' brows raised and he whistled through his teeth. "So he uses his current girlfriend to get into his ex-wife's room and she went along with it?"

"Something's not right about this whole situation with Lucky," the younger man shook his head. "I think we should look into what he was doing in Ireland...and what this woman's story is. You know Spencer's not going to give up easily when it comes to Elizabeth and right now, she and Cameron don't need the problems he could cause for them. Especially if he got into something over his head with this whole Interpol assignment."

"You got it," the other man nodded. "I'll have my guy start looking into it."

"Thank you, Francis," Jason said. "And thank you for coming up here last night."

"You're welcome," the man told him. "And don't worry about whether Sonny might try to fire me. If I see him, I'll quit before he gets the chance. The fact that he would order you to stop looking for your son...I can't respect that. Being down on the island, I've heard a few things; I've gotten a different look at what's been happening back up here. Sonny's changed; everyone changes, but Sonny hasn't been for the better. If he thinks I'm going to stick around for that, he's crazier than everyone says he is."

Jason closed his eyes, but then opened them and sincerely said, "Thank you. I...I don't know what's going on with him except he's...you're right; he's getting worse. It's all about him, and he expects me to take care of everything for him. Maybe I was wrong in doing all I did, but..."

"But he's the one who taught you how this life is. And then he kept changing the rules and played on the fact that he trusted you, believed in you when the Quartermaines didn't and questioned your loyalty."

"I did push back sometimes," he stated. Then he sighed regretfully. "Just maybe not as much as I should have."

"Jason," the guard said. "It really doesn't matter now; what matters is going forward and finding your son and Aiden. Which means we focus right now on the clues we have from this Franco guy. We're not focusing on him more than Helena Cassadine just because Jake is your son. It's just we haven't found anything on Helena yet. Franco wants you to get these clues; Helena just wants to disappear with the baby."

With a nod to help clear his head and focus, he asked, "So what have you found? The men who went to down to New Mexico?"

"It's been hard to get info," Francis confessed regretfully. "The FBI, even though Elizabeth's brother asked you to help and you're Jake's father, aren't real big on sharing their information with the mob."

He hesitated for a moment and then suggested, "Maybe Elizabeth could speak to them. You have a right to know what's happening with the investigation."

"And they'd respond that they'll keep us informed, but they aren't going to let the mob get Franco first," Jason countered. "They want Franco...so despite what deals the FBI made with me in the past..."

"Jason," the other man said. "It couldn't hurt. We can hack their data, even though they've got it encrypted. It would be nice...to at least have the appearance of cooperation. Stop trying to hide our presence or tripping over them and wondering if the men are going to get arrested."

With a nod of agreement, because Francis was right, Jason said, "Okay. I'll talk to Elizabeth, or her brother. Finding Jake and Aiden is more important than trying to do this on our own or act like we aren't cooperating with the Feds. I'm out of the business, so anything I do isn't going to affect Sonny."

"Unless they agree to cooperate in exchange for you giving them information on him," the other man hedged.

The worried father swallowed and shook his head. "We'll figure that out if they ask. We'll get Diane involved. She knows what Raynor pulled in the past; she knows what happened with Franco before. She'll get on them for trying to turn the kidnapping of two boys into a chance to bring down Sonny. But for now...what did the men find?"

"Franco was in Lincoln County, New Mexico," the guard stated. "Left a clue at the museum. He's toying with you. It...it was a picture of Jake, made to look like an old photograph from the past. But it was him. There was also a clue about Grant County."

"Grant County?" the younger man asked. "Grant County...where?"

"We don't know," the other man confessed. "Good guess was still in New Mexico. But there are a lot of Grant counties in a lot of different states. I've got my guy searching for places that might interest Franco...some place he'd think to leave a clue. I can hire extra men, Jason; men who will report only to us. Send them to each state. But I think it's like you said; he's toying with you. Wants to send you on a wild goose chase."

He scrubbed his hand over his face and said, "He knows you're worried, that you're bordering on frantic. He wouldn't care if he sent you all over the place. So I've got my computer guy searching for anything in Franco's past that would give us a clue. There's a Grant County in Oregon, and his mother lives in Astoria. So I think we should send someone there, check things out. And soon we'll find his next clue. But I don't think you should run all over the place. It will just make him toy with you more. Don't play his game; don't give him that power over you. If you run off to New Mexico, he'll just keep sending you places and he'll be sitting back and laughing."

"He has my son," Jason growled out. It went against everything in him to not go himself to look for Jake.

"I know," his friend said in sympathy. "I know. And it's not like you'll be doing nothing, Jason. But you're not going to give him the power. He's too obsessed with you. If you don't go running off to New Mexico and then the next place and then the next, he'll change the game. He'll do something else...maybe even come to you. He wants you to engage him, he wants you to come after him. He won't give up if you don't do what he wants you to, he'll change things. So that's why you can't run off; you have to stay here in Port Charles."

Closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose he blew out a breath and then said, "Okay. Okay. But if we don't get another clue soon I won't sit around and do nothing, Francis. I can't. For too long I acted like Jake didn't matter to me; I'm not going to ignore clues in the hopes that Franco might change his game plan."

"I know," the other man told him, placing his hand on his shoulder. "But give it a day or two. He's got to be watching you. Let him know that he's wrong; that he can't control you, and that he was wrong about the situation with Jake. Go see Ms. Webber, talk to the FBI. We'll keep searching, Jason, but we're not going to go running every time he dangles a clue. We're going to make him come to us, and we'll be ready."

Part 18
Prompt - "The way to love anything is to realize that it might be lost." G.K. Chesterton

"Jason!"

He sighed as he turned around, looking across Kelly's courtyard as Carly ran towards him. He crossed his arms over his chest and watched impassively as she immediately launched into her verbal assault that he'd known would be coming.

"Where have you been?" she demanded. "I've been calling you, I've been stopping by the penthouse but the guards always say you're busy or aren't there and I can't go up; I've been leaving you messages, hoping you would come by and you're completely ignoring me."

Her eyes narrowed as she finally took a breath and she said, "It's her, isn't it?"

"Who?" he asked innocently as he lifted his brow. "I haven't seen Brenda since I've been back."

"Not Brenda," she said with angry annoyance.

"Elizabeth." The word dripped like acid off her tongue. "She comes back to town playing the wounded dove that she always does and you're ignoring everyone."

"I've been busy," he said simply, not saying anything more for her to latch onto.

"Busy?" she huffed. "With what? Too busy to see your friends? Your family?"

"Carly," he cut in, "get to the point. What do you want?"

"You need to fix this, Jason," she demanded of him.

"Fix what?" he questioned. So help her if she said to get Elizabeth out of town, he could not guarantee what he'd do.

"Brenda staying at the hotel," the blonde screeched. "She's wrecking my life."

He looked at her questioningly and asked, "Jax is sleeping with her?"

She opened her mouth, paused, and then said, "He says he's not, but if he isn't, it's only a matter of time. She's always messing things up. She's leading Sonny on, all the while dangling herself in front of Jax. She's doing what she always does...she's playing them off one another."

"So he's not sleeping with her?" he clarified and then shrugged. "Then what's the problem?"

"She's there," Carly finally got to it. "Jax is letting her stay there for free. He's paid for guards to protect her. Sonny's always coming around but she refuses to see him. Jax is threatening to ban him from the hotel and he says I'm being unreasonable. Just because I don't want my husband to run off and help someone else."

"Don't you always run off and help Sonny?" the increasingly annoyed man wondered with a lift of his brows.

Her eyes opened wide with hurt and she said, "Jason, that's different. You know it is. Sonny and I share children. We will always be connected."

"Jax was engaged to Brenda," he pointed out. "She had her accident right before they were supposed to get married. If he's supposed to accept your past with Sonny, then shouldn't you accept his past with Brenda?"

She crossed her arms over her chest and said, "That's what he says. He claims he's not sleeping with her...and he doesn't really seek her out." A huge admission for her. "He comes home and has dinner with Morgan and Josslyn. He doesn't stay late at the hotel doing business...in fact, he's doing more work at home lately."

Letting out a sigh and pinching the bridge of his nose Jason said, "Then it sounds like he's trying to not spend much time with her. He's focusing on his family. Why aren't you?"

"Because he's letting her stay there...she's in our lives."

"She was always in your lives," he stated.

"But now I can't get away from her," she insisted, putting her hands on her hips.

"Is she causing problems for you?" he wondered, tilting his head to the side. He was already tired of this conversation and just wanted it over. But Carly wouldn't make it easy to get away. He needed to get her to understand she was contradicting herself regarding Jax, or get her annoyed at him so she'd leave. "Seeking you out at your work or coming to your home to make problems for you?"

When she stayed silent he dropped his hands to his side and asked, "What is she doing, Carly, that is making you so upset?"

"She's there," the blonde stated simply as if that explained it all.

"I don't see what this has to do with me," Jason shook his head.

"Come on, Jase," she insisted taking a step towards him but he turned as her hand was about to lower to his arm so it missed. "You're supposed to be my friend. You're supposed to help me. Brenda is going to ruin my family's life. I need your help."

"I can't," he told her with a firm shake of his head. "She isn't getting in your face, and even if she was, Brenda doesn't listen to me."

"You need to protect her again," she finally got down to what she wanted. "Take her out of the hotel and protect her."

With a sigh and a shake of his head he said, "I can't do that, Carly. I'm too busy. Jake is missing and so is Aiden. I have to focus on finding them."

"You mean you have to hang around Elizabeth," she sneered angrily. "What is wrong with you, Jason? You know she can't handle your life; it's why she walked away and took your son from you. Now she doesn't even remember you. I've heard she's even too scared to see her son. This is your chance; if you find Jake you can get custody of him."

"Carly," he bit out. "Do you even listen to anything that comes out of your mouth? How do you even hear anything about Elizabeth? She's not going around announcing it to the world, and neither is anyone around her."

"I heard it from Lulu," she clarified.

"And Elizabeth is confiding in Lulu?" he questioned in disbelief as his eyebrows rose. "Face it; you don't know anything about what Elizabeth is going through. She went through a trauma; two of her children are missing. You don't have any right to judge her about anything, and why do you think I wouldn't look for my son when he's missing?"

"I know you would look for Jake," she said, softening her voice and stepping towards him once again, and he took a step back. "But, Jason, you know she's going to try to sink her claws into you again. It's what she always does...and you have this...need to fix people. You can never pass up a damsel in distress and who is more in distress than someone who can't remember their life and whose children are missing? I'm just trying to protect you from making a mistake again."

"No," he said flatly, crossing his arms over his chest once again. "You're trying to get me to take care of your problems. My son and his brother are missing, and that is the only thing I'm going to focus on. If you can't understand that...then I can't change it. Sonny didn't understand it and now we're dissolving our partnership."

"He was telling the truth?" she whispered, horrified at the thought. "I thought he was just blowing off steam."

"When I wouldn't stop looking for Jake and agree to protect Brenda and get her to accept him, he ended our partnership," he stated bluntly. "I'm not giving up the search for my son. I will not give up the search for Aiden until he's returned to Elizabeth. If we find Jake tomorrow, that doesn't mean I'd stop looking for Aiden. I'm not going to walk away from Elizabeth when she's hurt and needs help."

Crossing his arms over his chest and leaning towards her he said, "If you can't understand that I'm busy and not available for your every phone call...then I can't fix that. I can't fix your life, Carly. You have a husband; you have to make the choice if you're going to trust him or blow your life apart over some perception you have instead of listening to him. I'm not going to hold your hand or tell you to count to twenty. You're going to have to face your own problems like an adult and fix them yourself. I've got other things I need to do."

"But we're your family," she insisted, her eyes welling with tears in a blatant attempt to manipulate him.

"No," he shook his head. "Jake and his family are my family. And part of them are missing and I'm not going to walk away from them again. You know that Elizabeth didn't take Jake from me...I made choices too. And they were wrong. I'm not going to make them again. I'm going to find my son and his brother and then we're going to work on putting the family back together."

"And are you going to be part of that family?" she asked with a sneer.

"I don't know," he stated. He wasn't doing this to get another chance with Elizabeth; he was doing this because he was a father whose son was missing and he wasn't going to stop at anything to bring his son home and make his son's life better. "But it's not really any of yours, or anybody else's, business."

He arched his brow at her and pointedly asked, "Is there anything else, Carly?"

"Jason," she said, softening her voice. "I'm not trying to hurt you. I'm just trying to get you to see things clearly. You've always...had this blind spot when it comes to Elizabeth. You don't see her clearly. You don't see that she plays you, and she's used that child to hang onto you when you wanted other people in your life. You don't have to give your life over to her and try to be her hero. Her brother is there for her."

Licking his lips he said, "I thought you would understand this, Carly. That Elizabeth and I will always be connected because we share a child together. A child that was created out of love for each other."

She flinched as he tossed her words back at her, and also because he said out loud he and Elizabeth had loved each other, but he kept going. "I will not turn my back on my family anymore. I will not abandon Elizabeth and her children just because someone else thinks I should. I'm sorry if you can't understand that, but I don't think I'll ever be able to change your mind. I guess all your talk of maturity and growth was just talk. I have things that I need to do, Carly, and standing around arguing with you about whether or not Elizabeth should be in my life because you don't want her there isn't one of them. I need to go."

"Jason, don't be mad," she called after him when he turned his back on her and walked towards docks. "Jason!"

But he didn't turn around and he didn't look back. He had a meeting with Sonny and Diane to finalize the dissolution of the partnership and then he was going to check in with Francis to see if anything else had been found regarding Franco or Helena.




"Are you ready for this, Elizabeth?"

No. She was going to throw up. She did not want to do this. She didn't want to see the potential hurt and devastation this was going to cause. She didn't think she would ever be ready to face the little boy that the doctor across the room from her had done her best to explain that his Mommy was back, but she had been hurt and so she was different. She didn't remember him, but that didn't mean she didn't love him. It might just be...confusing for a while.

Steven had brought Elizabeth to Dr. Hayes the day after all her tests at the hospital. The CT scan showed some areas of injury, but Dr. Drake didn't think there was any permanent scaring or damage. She'd just lost her memories for a while, but with time, they would most likely come back. Some things were already feeling familiar to her - she didn't need to be told that she'd spent a lot of years at a small diner down by the docks, she'd walked in and had immediately felt comfortable there as the smells and the sounds washed over her - and all the medical personnel were certain that it was a good sign.

The psychiatrist was confident and encouraged as well, and in their sessions they had dwelt on a lot of different topics. Elizabeth's dislike of her actions and former self, tempering her desire to tell off Lucky's sister when the blonde had gotten into her face to chastise her for the way Elizabeth was treating her brother, and especially her fears about what would happen to her son if she never regained her memories. She hadn't yet officially met Cameron yet, but after the little boy having several sessions with Dr. Hayes and Steven, the doctor thought it was time for mother and son to finally see each other face to face.

Elizabeth really wasn't sure and there was a part of her that wanted to run from the room, yet she couldn't make herself get out of the chair. She was gripping the armrests tightly as if she might fall from her seat if she wasn't hanging on and her hands hurt, but she was also terrified. Her heart was pounding; she could feel sweat beading on her forehead.

"Elizabeth?"

Dr. Hayes sat down on the chair nearest hers and reached out to cover her hand. Then she picked it up and her fingers went to the pulse point on the young mother's wrist. "Elizabeth?"

Her eyes went over to the doctor and the other woman took a deep breath and let it out slowly. When she did it again, Elizabeth found herself starting to mimic the action until they were both breathing in deeply through their noses and letting it out slowly through their mouths. The blood pounding in Elizabeth's ears began to quiet and the tingling in her fingers lessened and she blinked.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah," she said, testing the word in her mouth before letting it out. "I-I think so."

"You were on the verge of a panic attack," the other woman said. "If it bothers you this much we don't have to do it. It won't help you or Cameron if you're terrified."

"I know," the frightened mother nodded. "I know you've done your best to explain to him what happened to me...but I just don't want to hurt him. I don't want him to look at me and see that I don't recognize him and be hurt by that."

"But sometimes, Elizabeth," Dr. Hayes said, "you need to see something to begin to remember it. You've had memories of being a waitress and eating brownies and drinking hot chocolate at Kelly's. Those didn't come until your brother took you there. Now I'm not saying there's any guarantee that you'll see Cameron and suddenly it will all come flooding back to you, or even trickling back to you. But given your past experiences, it seems like it might happen. And I'll be in the room, and so will your brother. I'll be watching you and Cameron, and if I see that it's too much for either of you, then I'll step in."

Elizabeth let out a slow breath as she nodded. "I know. I...I know."

Her shoulders firmed and even though her stomach was still in knots she looked over and said, "I'm ready."

She did her best to keep her breathing even when Dr. Hayes went to the door and called to Steven who was waiting with Cameron in the other room. Her brother led the little boy with dark, short-curled hair into the room and he looked at her with wide, dark eyes that caused her heart to seize painfully in her chest. He stayed near his uncle, clutching the older man's hand tightly, almost hidden behind his leg. He was frightened of her. She looked at Dr. Hayes to tell her this wasn't a good idea. She didn't want him scared. He'd had so much happen to him already; she couldn't be the source of more fright in a young child.

Steven stopped and Cameron immediately did as well, and then looked at his uncle when the older man squatted down to look the little boy in the eye. "Remember what we talked about, Cam," he said softly. "She's very nice; she just doesn't remember everything right now. You can say hello to her if you want."

The little boy turned his head to look at her curiously and Elizabeth's eyes stung with tears. She wished she could remember, simply so that he didn't have such fear and uncertainty lying behind his gaze.

"Hi," the little boy said softly. "Hi...Mommy."

She slid out of her chair and knelt on the floor so she would be at his level and gave him what she hoped was a reassuring smile. "Hi, Cameron."

"Can..." he began and then stopped.

She did her best to keep her voice even and asked, "Can what, Cameron? You...you can ask me what you want."

He licked his lips, his eyes darting around, from his uncle to the doctor and then to her and asked, "Can...can I give you a hug?"

She pressed her lips together and nodded. "Sure."

Slowly she opened her arms and waited nervously as he came towards her, stopping when he almost reached her and then taking the last few steps. His arms came up around her neck and she brought her own up softly, making sure he didn't feel trapped. He laid his head against her shoulder and she brought her head down to rest on his, unable to stop herself from closing her eyes and taking a breath. The smell of his shampoo washed over, the feel of his hair under her cheek and suddenly she was in a hospital room, taking her freshly cleaned newborn from the nurse's arms and nuzzling her nose into his cheek and hair.

Something clenched deep down inside her and she knew...absolutely knew that this was her child. That this was her son. Her eyes burned, her throat squeezed so tightly she didn't know if she could speak but she managed to say on a ragged whisper, "Oh, Cammy, my sweet, little boy."

Part 19
Prompt - Breakout

"Lucky," Audrey said in surprise as she opened her front door and saw him standing there. "What are you doing here?"

"I was hoping for your help, Audrey," he confessed, looking at the older woman.

She didn't invite him in, instead she stepped out onto the porch and crossed her arms over her chest, as if she was warding off a chill. "Help with what, Lucky?" she asked.

"I was hoping you could help me with Elizabeth," he stated, tucking his hands into his front pockets.

The retired nurse's brow went up and she looked at him incredulously. "Help with Elizabeth? What exactly do you need my help with Elizabeth with?"

"She threw me out of her hospital room," he stated. "She's got Jason Morgan's guards around her and has ordered them to keep me away from her. Cameron's back in town and she won't let me see him."

Elizabeth's grandmother narrowed her eyes at him and said coolly, "I don't see what I can help you with, Lucky."

"Talk to her, Audrey," he pleaded with her. "You know that Jason's bad news for her. He shouldn't be around her or Cameron and he definitely shouldn't be out there looking for Jake."

"Are you looking for Jake?" she asked him. "Or are you just leaving that to the FBI, like you left Sarah to take care of your son?"

Surprised at the turn of the conversation and the bitterness in her words he snapped his mouth shut, before trying on a charming smile. But Audrey Hardy wasn't interested in anything he had to say.

"You have a lot of nerve, Lucky Spencer," she told him. "You have neglected your child...your biological child simply because he wasn't Elizabeth's. And yet, you called my granddaughter names and disparaged her all over town."

With regret she shook her head as she said, "I used to be your supporter, Lucky. I used to encourage Elizabeth to forgive you, to make allowances for you, to overlook your faults because everyone is just human, after all...and yes, at one time I would have gladly done anything to see her with anybody but Jason Morgan."

Closing her eyes, she let out a sad breath and then continued, "But I have done a lot of thinking. I have had Steven arguing with me every day since we found out Elizabeth was missing and even before she was found, I had begun to finally see what he was saying."

"Steven," the suspended cop scoffed. "He's the one who wouldn't let me see Cameron. Told me that Elizabeth left my son to him and he wouldn't let me be around my boy."

"Because he's not your boy," Audrey snapped at him, her eyes burning with anger as her mouth and shoulders firmed. "You never adopted him, and you never really considered him your son. He was a convenient tool for you to play Elizabeth with. You are so much like your family it is disgusting. Just like your cousin, Carly, you use children to manipulate people to do what you want. You didn't care about Cameron; no, you were quite happy to send him off to my house anytime you thought I would take him. You sent him away for weeks and insisted you could detox at home as long as Elizabeth took care of you, but the minute you heard she was pregnant and you thought it was your child you ran off to rehab. Then when Elizabeth slept with Nikolas you refused to see those children. You were too upset with her to be a father to those little boys who loved you...so you don't get to come in here now and claim you care. You don't get to act upset because Elizabeth left her children to someone other than you. And you especially don't get to say anything about what Elizabeth has done when you abandoned your son!"

"I thought Sarah was lying," he shot back at her. "She knew that the one thing she could do to continue to screw up mine and Elizabeth's lives was to claim she was having my child."

"And how was Sarah even in a position to make such a claim?" the angry grandmother demanded. "It's because you cheated on Elizabeth. Just like you lied and said you were there to take Sarah to the Valentine's Dance instead of Elizabeth like I'd overheard you making plans to do. I...I was just as wrong as you because I didn't say anything. Oh, Sarah was so pretty and Elizabeth was younger and it would be okay just this time because there would be other dances for Elizabeth and Sarah was older. I was wrong."

Her eyes narrowed and she lifted an aged hand to shake her finger at him. "And so were you. Steven told me what you said to Elizabeth after you found out about her and Nikolas. You wondered where that little girl had gone that crawled out of the snow bleeding. That...that is disgusting, Lucky Spencer. You wanted that pathetic, clinging girl who had just had her entire life brutally shattered...you wanted her to never grow stronger because that might mean you weren't the center of your universe. I'm not...I shouldn't be surprised that you would feel that way...considering what your father did to your mother. But I will not stand back any longer and let you do that to her."

"Audrey," he tried to cut in because her voice was getting loud and several neighbors were stepping out onto their porches, looking over at her house. And he was certain that every word was carrying down to the bushes at the end of the drive where Siobhan was probably hiding; she hadn't been thrilled when he declared he wanted to see Elizabeth's grandmother and didn't want her to come along because her presence would upset the older woman.

"Oh, no, Lucky," she shook her head. "You are not going to shut me up. Why don't you throw me down on the ground like you did to Elizabeth? Why don't you call me a whore and a bitch like you did to my granddaughter? Why don't you call me a liar like you did to Sarah? After all...you're great at yelling at women. Can't seem to do enough of it."

She huffed out and kept going, "But I will not listen to one more word from you. I will not listen to one more lie and excuse from you to make your failings okay. You hurt my granddaughters. You hurt my great-grandchildren. I will not help you with Elizabeth just because your pride is hurt that she's being guarded by Jason Morgan's men and she refuses to see you. My granddaughter has amnesia; two of her children are missing; she has enough troubles in her life right now without you trying to cause problems for her.

"If you have this much time on your hands," she said pointedly, "then why don't you go out to California and get your son? Why are you trying to worm your way into places you aren't wanted instead of taking care of someone who needs you? Lucas' mother is in jail; his father should be getting him out of foster care."

"I..."

When he trailed off Audrey laughed bitterly. "What, Lucky? Were you hoping that if you dragged your feet long enough that I would go out to California and get him?"

She took one look at his face and shook her head in disgust. "No. While I worry for my great-grandson and I would like to have the opportunity to get to know him...I have had to make a decision."

Letting out a heavy breath, her voice was quieter, but firm. "Lucas is innocent in all this, especially since he's sick...but I can't get him, Lucky. His mother deliberately hurt Elizabeth and my three other great-grandchildren. Elizabeth is back, Cameron is here...there is too much going on with both of them right now for me to go get Lucas and oversee his treatment.

"No," she shook her head. "I'm afraid it's time for the Spencer family to step up and take responsibility for once in their lives. It is time for you to be a father to your son. Or if you're looking for someone to dump him off, just like you have every other child in your life, then maybe Bobbie can help out. As much as I regret saying this, I cannot take Lucas. But if you don't do something, Lucky...then I'm going to talk to Mac, or maybe the FBI and see whether you can be charged with something for the way you've shirked your parental responsibilities. Knowing you have a sick child in foster care and doing nothing has surely got to qualify as neglect."

Crossing her arms once again over her chest she looked at him challengingly and said, "Now get off my porch, Lucky Spencer...and don't you ever come back here again unless it's to offer my family an apology."




Sarah walked back down the dim hallway to her cell and stood patiently while the door slid closed behind her and then the guard unlocked her handcuffs through the bars. She couldn't believe she was in jail; why was she being punished while Elizabeth got everything? Sarah hadn't really ever intended to hurt her sister, even though she burned with bitter envy every time her sister would send the obligatory birthday card or Christmas card and letter. It really wasn't Elizabeth's fault that Lucky had left her while she was pregnant with Lucas and didn't believe Sarah. But it hurt to see those few pictures of Lucky with his arm around Elizabeth, holding her children and acting like a loving, happy father.

Where had been that love for Lucas? Where had been that love and care for her child? She'd told Lucky when she found out she was pregnant, and while a small part of her wanted the young man to leave her sister and come to her, she'd at least thought that he'd acknowledge his child. Instead, he called her a liar and a slut and was just certain that she'd been sleeping with someone else and the baby was his. Because it couldn't possibly be Lucky's; that would mess up his precious plans.

When her son was born, she once again contacted Lucky. Told him that she'd had a son, told him the little boy's blood type - matched perfectly to Lucky's - and included a picture that looked very much like Lulu had when she was younger. She thought that it might help him realize that she was telling the truth and come out and see Lucas Lorenzo Spencer, III; instead he wrote to her and told her that she better change the child's name and not include his name on the birth certificate because Lucas would be the name that he and Elizabeth used. Sarah hadn't changed a thing, but she didn't ask for child support, especially since she made more than him, and just raised her son and loved him.

Then her little boy turned sick and underwent test after test after test until the diagnosis was in. He'd developed the same illness his aunt had and needed a bone marrow transplant. They looked through the national bone marrow registry, but Sarah knew that his odds would be greatly helped by having family tested for a match. It seemed like such fortunate timing when Nikolas and Steven contacted her and asked if Elizabeth could come stay with her for a little while.

She and her sister had begun talking, slowly working through some things until they could talk on the phone without unease or awkwardness. While Sarah had never mentioned Lucas before, she knew that she'd have to do so now. It might hurt her sister, but she knew Elizabeth's compassionate nature - especially after seeing Lucas and the beginning effects the illness were taking on him - would help her put aside her hurt and focus on getting Lucas help. She hadn't pinned her hopes on Cameron, but Jake...Jake was Lucky's son; surely a shared father and sisters for mothers would increase her son's chances that his cousin/half-sibling would match.

But everything had changed when Helena Cassadine showed up. Sarah's life, and her son's life, was irrevocably altered. Helena told her a few truths, that Jake wasn't Lucky's son, but there was still hope. And for a price, Helena would give Sarah access to the stem cells she'd ordered harvested after Aiden's birth. All Sarah had to do was turn over her nephews and sister to Helena and some creepy guy who seemed very angry towards Elizabeth.

Sarah had hesitated; she really had. But her son took a turn for the worse and a desperate mother will do desperate things and she agreed to Helena's request. She should have known the evil, old woman would double cross her. And then her employees couldn't even do the job right. Cameron and Elizabeth had escaped and the entire world knew what she'd done.

As she sat on the metal bed attached to the wall and ran her fingertips over the knee of her orange jumpsuit, Sarah knew that while things looked bad...she still held some power. The world didn't know everything. They didn't know everything Helena had told her; they didn't know everything Sarah had overheard Helena Cassadine command into her phone. If she played her cards right, she might just be able to arrange something. It was just a matter of getting what she wanted before she doled out a few scraps that left the desperate people begging for more.

Sarah wasn't going to do anything out of the goodness of her heart; no, she'd learned her lessons well. She wanted her son removed from foster care and she wanted a nationwide search done for a bone marrow donor. She wanted a transfer from this jail...Port Charles should be good. After all, she may be in jail, but she wanted to be close to her son when his uncle helped treat him. Being in Port Charles put her closer to the action, and if she convinced the FBI to let her visit her son occasionally in the hospital, it might also allow her the opportunity to escape. Because there was no way that Sarah was going to accept the entire blame for this; there was no way she was going to spend the rest of her life behind bars.




"We just got a call from the FBI officers in California who are overseeing Sarah Webber," Jack said as he walked into the room where Adam and Steve were talking. "Seems she has information she's willing to give us...if we give her a few things."

Steven's eyes narrowed in disgust before he looked away, but the fellow FBI agent asked, "What is she asking for?"

"She wants her son transferred to General Hospital so that Steven can help oversee his case, she wants us to help find a bone marrow match for the boy, and she wants to be transferred to Port Charles so she can closer to him," he answered.

"You realize she's up to something," the angry brother huffed as he stood and stalked across the room to look out the window and turn his back on the other men. "All these weeks that she's been in custody and suddenly now she's claiming she has something to tell us, but only if we help her?"

"Of course she's angling for something," Adam said to his friend. "We know that. We expected this. She'll claim she's suddenly remembered something about Helena or Franco and she'll offer it to us, but only if we help her. Coming here to Port Charles...she could be looking for a way to hurt your sister, hurt Lucky Spencer, or even try to escape. We expect these things."

"But what if she does remember something that could help us find where Aiden and Jake are?" he asked, his anger melting into concern as he turned around. He felt so angry, yet helpless and desperate as well. "And why couldn't she just offer it up out of the goodness of her heart?"

"Because she's in jail and she knows she's in trouble and she's looking to make a deal," Jack said, keeping his voice tempered because the man was a worried uncle who didn't need his cynicism over dealing with criminals.

Looking between the two agents Steven asked, "So what are you going to do?"

"We'll talk to her," Jack answered. "I'll fly out to California and talk to her, see if I think she's really got something, or if she's just in desperation mode. If it seems like she might have something, we'll consider her requests. We won't give her everything, and we won't expect you to take on her son when you've got so much going on right now...but we'll look into it.

"Who knows," he shrugged. "She might actually have something that could help us break the case."

Part 20
Prompt - You and tequila make me crazy. You and Tequila by Kenny Chesney

There was something about tequila that intrigued Elizabeth. After her brother told her about his conversation earlier in the day with the FBI and their sister Sarah's sudden claims of having information but wanting concessions before she spoke, combined with their grandmother's description of her encounter with Lucky Spencer earlier in the day, Elizabeth had been agitated and needed something to drink. She'd gone searching through her kitchen cabinets, wondering if her former self had anything beside a bottle of wine and found a bottle of tequila in the back of one of the cabinets. She pulled it out, setting it on the counter to look at it as feelings tugged at her. Laughter, frustration, pain and sensual longing all washed over her and she didn't know exactly why, but she knew that they were all somehow wrapped up in the liquid contained in the bottle before her.

The back door opened, startling her and she turned to see Cameron and her brother traipse inside after playing outdoors after dinner. The little boy's cheeks were bright and his eyes were laughing and their merriment faded only briefly when he looked at her, but then a new delight shone in them. He gave her a hug, this one less tentative than the one before - as all his hugs were becoming since they'd first touched in the therapist's office - and then said he was going to go upstairs to get ready for his bath.

"I'll be up in a moment," Steven called to him, then looked at Elizabeth curiously. "Are you okay?"

His gaze dropped to the bottle beside her and she looked at it as well. "I...I don't know."

"It's a lot to think about," he said, referencing their conversation they'd had while Cameron had been with her friends and neighbors, the Drakes.

"Yeah," she nodded. "I don't really know what I feel. I just...felt like a drink."

He nodded easily and then said, "Okay. You're an adult. Amnesia doesn't mean you're not capable of making your own decisions. I'll go supervise Cam."

Elizabeth poured the liquor into a shot glass she'd also found while on her hunt, but then sat at the table looking at it. She rolled the glass in her palms and closed her eyes in the hopes that the wisps floating in her mind would congeal into actual memories. As she tilted her head to the side, sensing a jukebox and laughter, the doorbell rang and she startled, sloshing tequila onto her hands and the table.

"I got it," she called up to her brother as she got up and grabbed the hand towel hanging on the stove handle. She was wiping at her hands when she approached the front door and flipped the locks. She knew that with the guards placed outside that she was safe opening the door without looking first, but she was surprised when she saw Jason Morgan standing on her porch.

"Jason," she said, her eyebrows going up. She'd thought maybe it was James or Lottie coming by to see how she was doing as they sometimes did in the evenings now that she spent most of her day in her house with her brother and Cameron. They would sometimes arrive to take her back to the hotel so she could talk along the way; she hadn't expected Jake's father to show up. "Uh...come in."

"Thanks," he said, looking like he was uncomfortable. "Is this a bad time?"

"No," she shook her head. "Cameron is upstairs with Steven getting ready for bed. I...I don't remember the routine and sometimes it's just easier if Steven takes care of it."

The man before her tugged at his ear and then said, "Could we talk? I...I don't want to disturb Cam, though."

"We can go into the kitchen," she answered. "Or out back. Cam and Steven were outside playing earlier and it was nice out. Cam's room is on the side of the house, so he wouldn't hear our voices."

"Okay," Jason agreed with a nod of his head. He followed behind her through the kitchen towards the back door, but when she went to turn the handle she saw Jason's gaze was focused on the kitchen table, even while he was walking.

"Oh," she said quickly. "I should wipe that up."

Taking the glass and dumping the rest of the contents down the sink, she quickly wiped up the spilled alcohol and then stuck the bottle back into a cupboard. Jason watched her curiously and she swallowed and licked her lips as his silent stare began to unnerve her. "Do-do you want something to drink?"

His eyes flared for the smallest moment, and then he shook his head. "No. I'm okay."

It was almost a relief to step outside into the cool evening and not have to look directly at him. Somehow she just knew that he was wrapped up in the tequila bottle as well, though she didn't think it was with the jukebox and laughter. She wasn't sure she was ready to ask, and wasn't even sure she wanted him to volunteer the information.

"Are...are you okay, Elizabeth?" he asked after they'd stood there a few minutes. "You seem...upset. Or...or maybe just uncomfortable."

Letting out a breath she said, "It's hard when I have these flashes, or feel like there's something floating at the edge of my brain, but I can't figure it out. That...that happened with the tequila earlier. Steven and I...we had a pretty intense conversation and I felt the need for a drink. Not a beer, not a glass of wine...something stronger. All I found was tequila. There was this feeling that came over me."

Turning slightly to look at him she continued, "Several feelings actually. I couldn't figure them out and maybe...I'm not sure I want to, yet. Not with everything else going on."

He frowned slightly at her and asked, "What happened?"

"My sister," she sighed. "Lucky. And then there's just everything that's been going on with Cameron."

Touching her elbow lightly, Jason directed her to one of the chairs and suggested, "Why don't you sit down. If...if you want to talk, I'll listen."

"You may be sorry you offered that," she huffed out. "Sometimes there's so much running through my brain I can hardly make sense of it."

Closing her eyes, she leaned her head against the back of the chair and brought her fingertips up to rub at her temples. "After my MRI and my unfortunate run-in with Lucky at the hospital-"

"I'm sorry about that," he cut in. "Your guards have been told not to let him near you."

"Well, they're either doing a really good job of it," she shrugged. "Or he hasn't made another attempt. But he's gone to visit my grandmother. Wanted her help to talk to me, get me to see reason...and then tried to get her to go get his son from foster care out in California. She told him to get off her porch and deal with his own business."

She lifted an eyelid and peered at him. "He did that a lot, didn't he?" she asked. "Whined and acted like a child and expected everyone else to take care of him."

Jason's jaw clenched and he cleared his throat before answering, "Yeah. His family also never expected him to take care of things. They..."

"They always expected me to deal with him and fix him," she said, filling in what he seemed reluctant to say. "And like a complete tool I did it. That's why I asked you to give up your son so that it didn't send him back to pills. I should have known better. A person has to get sober for themselves, and if Cameron wasn't enough to make him want to get better, I should have run the other way."

"I...I think you were also afraid to go after what you really wanted," he said. "Because I certainly wasn't speaking up. I...I thought you wanted Lucky and so I stood back and let you go to him, but you took my stepping back as I didn't really want you, so you tried to put on a happy face and encourage me to be with Sam thinking I wanted her.

"I didn't," he said, turning to look at her and she felt her breath catch in her throat. "But I thought I didn't really have anything to offer you. You had Cameron...you deserved to be safe, to not have my life and the danger touch you. And I...I didn't speak up a lot of times, and since I wasn't saying anything, you went to the guy who was talking."

Elizabeth managed to break her gaze away from his intense stare and look out into the back yard. She didn't quite know what to make of Jason's revelations and wasn't sure this was the time to really try.

"So what did your sister do?" he asked softly, breaking the thick tension that was threatening to surround them.

"She told the FBI she had more information and she'd talk...but she wanted certain things," she replied, rubbing the heels of her hands over her tired eyes.

The chair beside her scraped on the porch and when she opened her eyes she found Jason standing rigidly a few feet away. His hands were clenched into fists at his side and his shoulders were tense and close to his ears. Letting out a harsh breath he asked, "Are they going to make a deal with her?"

She shifted on her chair and leaned forward, bracing her elbows on her knees. "I don't know," she shrugged. "I...I think they'll try and not give her everything she's demanding, but..."

Her voice grew tight and it was hard to get the next words out evenly. "She's claiming to know things...things about Helena I would guess. About the boys. She's saying she'll tell what more she knows, but...but she wants her son out of foster care. She wants him brought to Port Charles for treatment and wants to be transferred here as well so she can be close by. She wants Steven to treat him and he...he's so mad at her he's flat out refusing to. But...but he also claims that she'll refuse to say anything if we don't deal with her so maybe another doctor should treat her son."

She brought her hand up to her forehead and said, "I don't know. I can't really remember her, but I am...I am so angry."

"You have every right to be," Jason said. "She lied to you. She...she hurt you and your children. You don't have to remember her to be angry at her. I-I'm sure you have a lot of anger towards Sam knowing what she did to Jake. I'm sure you're angry at me for not doing more about her and for getting back together with her. You can be angry with someone you don't remember...and...and frankly, you should be."

He took in a breath and then said, "I'm angry at her. Being angry at her has gotten me angry at Sam again. I'm mad that after your sister sold you out and let the boys be taken, now she's trying to cut a deal, but is refusing to say anything until her demands are met. If she really cared...if she really wanted to make amends for what she's done then she'd say something. Prove that she's willing to work with the FBI, to help find Jake and Aiden without demanding things."

Elizabeth tilted her head slightly to the side and lifted her brows. "That's exactly what Steven said. It's part of why he's so mad. It's why I'm mad. It's why he doesn't want to work on Lucas' case. He...he doesn't want her son to suffer, but I think there's only so much compassion he can show and right now...with everything going on with Cameron and me...he doesn't think he can do it."

"What's happening with you and Cam?" he asked, his voice immediately losing its angry tone. It was replaced by concern, and his brow was no longer furrowed in anger, but softened with caring and question. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah," she sighed. "I...I guess. I...I talked with the therapist I'd been seeing before I went to see Sarah and she's been talking with Cam and...and we finally met in her office."

Looking over at him, remembering their conversation not that long ago she continued, "I was so nervous. I didn't want to hurt him by not remembering him, but my doctor and Steven said that they'd told Cam I'd been hurt and didn't remember and they promised to be there so we didn't get overwhelmed."

She closed her eyes as tears flooded them, remembering holding her son and memories washing over her from when he was a baby. "He asked if he could hug me and he was...so scared that I'd say no. And when he put his arms around me and I rested my cheek on his head..."

The lump in her throat prevented her from continuing for a minute until she finally managed to swallow. "I remembered when he was born and when they put him into my arms. He was so small and so soft and his smell...it was there, Jason. It was there."

He sat down beside her and placed his hand on her arm, warmth radiating through her. "I-I'm so glad. For both of you."

Looking over at him she licked her lips and said, "I haven't remembered everything, but I've remembered some things. I know he's my son. And...and we've been talking, spending time together. I-I still don't stay here at night. I...I'm not quite ready for that. I go back to the hotel and I talk with James and Lottie and try to make sense of everything in my head. Cameron's still unsettled a bit; he's got his mom back, but not really. And I think about Jake and Aiden and..."

Leaning back against her chair, her shoulders slumped. "I still don't remember them. Their pictures are familiar to me because I look at them so much, but...but I haven't felt it like I have with Cam. And...and it bothers me. My children are out there and I...I can't even remember what it was like to hold them after they were born."

"You will, Elizabeth," he said softly, turning his chair to more fully face her. "You will. You've remembered things already, and it will come to you. Maybe..."

He trailed off and she finished the sentence he suddenly didn't want to say. "Maybe not until I hold them, right? But what if I never hold them again?"

"You will," he countered with fierce resolve. "You will. Nobody is going to give up until they're found. The FBI...and certainly not me. I don't care how long it takes; we are not giving up."

"Have...have you found anything?" she asked, forcing herself to answer the question even while dreading the answer. "The FBI...they answer my questions vaguely. Like they don't want to upset me. But...but they're cooperating with you, right? Steven said he would talk to them after you asked...and..."

"They are," he replied. "Not very happily, but my men no longer have to fear being charged with impeding a federal investigation. But...but we haven't really found anything yet."

"Oh," she said sadly and looked away. "I...I guess that's why you haven't stopped by. There's nothing to report."

"Yeah," Jason confirmed. "But I also wanted to give you and Cameron some space. But...but that wasn't the only reason. I...I don't know what to say to you sometimes."

She tilted her head to the side as she turned her gaze back towards him. "What?"

"I...I don't know what to say sometimes," he repeated. "With everything that happened between us, it...it was awkward when we would run into each other. And I...I got into the habit of staying away. But I know I shouldn't do that. Our son..."

He trailed off and swallowed thickly. "Our son is missing and even though I'm searching for him...he doesn't know me. And that is my fault. So don't blame yourself for that. I made the decision to stay away. And now...now I'm making the decision to not stay away. I'd like to get to know you again...and Cam. If...if that's okay with you."

Part 21
Prompt - Key

There was no way, no how that Elizabeth was ever going to visit her sister in jail. No matter how many times Sarah's lawyer passed along her sister's request that they meet so they could talk, so she could apologize, Elizabeth had no desire to talk to the other woman. The part of her that was remembering what it was to be a mom was glad that her nephew was no longer in foster care in California, but was in the hospital being treated. The other part of her that was disgusted by so many of the people she'd met since returning home, felt sorry for the boy because Lucky may have finally been pressured to step up and claim his son, but he'd pawned the boy off on his aunt to take care of while he generally made a nuisance of himself around town.

"Thank you, Grandma Lottie," Cameron shouted in excitement as he raced in from the backyard.

He skidded to a stop in front of her where she sat on the couch and looked at her with pure excitement; Elizabeth thought he would pop if he didn't speak soon. "Momma, Grandma Lottie said that if it's okay with you Grandpa James wants to take me to go down to the harbor. He used to actually sail boats and he met someone at the marina and it's okay if we look around."

His eyes were big and pleading as he looked at her. "Can I? Please? Can I go with Grandpa James?"

There was no way she could deny that and she laughed as she nodded her head. "Okay. But you listen to everything James says and you don't run near the water."

"Yes!" he pumped his fist in the air. "I'm going to go get my jacket, Grandpa James. Don't leave without me."

"Of course not," the older man replied solemnly as he stepped in from the kitchen, being slower on his trek through the house from the yard.

"Cameron," Elizabeth called out after hearing his feet pounding on the wood, turning on the couch to look at him where he was frozen halfway up the steps. "You know you aren't supposed to run on the stairs. Do you want to fall and cut your chin again?"

He stared at her, as he did any time she suddenly said something that popped into her head, a memory that had remained hidden until just that moment, and then he shook his head. "No, momma. I'm sorry."

"It's okay," she told him, a small smile tugging at her lips that grew when he matched it. "Just be careful, please. You don't want to miss going to the marina because Uncle Steven has to come over and stitch you up."

"No," he said seriously as he shook his head. Then he continued up the stairs at a more reasonable pace and was back down in a few minutes with his jacket. He took Grandpa James' hand and they left, a pair of guards following along behind.

Once the door was closed, Lottie sat down on the floral chair next to the couch and looked at Elizabeth. "You just remember that? You and Cam had that look."

"Yeah," she nodded. "Being back in this house, spending time with him and Steven...it's helping. I can't remember everything, and I walk past Jake and Aiden's rooms and they still seem foreign to me...but I'm remembering things about him."

"That's good," her friend smiled. "That's real good. He's improved so much since we first met him. He's not as nervous anymore; he's becoming more relaxed around everyone. James and I never had any kids, so having him adopt us as his grandparents..."

"He's a good boy," the young mother smiled softly. "Does his best. You were right to encourage me to move in here. I don't think we would have become this close again if I'd continued to stay at the hotel."

"Well, you were nervous," she said non-judgmentally. "It's understandable. But you're his mother, and this is your home. You needed to get comfortable here again, and it seems that you have."

"It's certainly nice not to really have to go anywhere," she said tiredly with a raise of her brows. "I'm not sure I'm ready for all that yet."

"You mean those people in town who seem to think that your business is theirs, too," Lottie said, her voice firming. "Like that blonde shrew who went off on you at the diner the other day before the guards stepped. And then that brunette who was shooting daggers your way at the park."

"Yeah," Elizabeth nodded, then rolled her neck to the side to relieve the tension that seemed to creep in whenever she thought of Carly Corinthos and Sam McCall. Thankfully she hadn't had to deal with them much, but it felt that they were always lurking in the background whenever she left the house.

"Well, you just let those men that work for Jason deal with them," the older woman told her firmly. "You don't need to deal with them. You've got enough with your sister asking to see you and then running into your stupid ex at the hospital when you go to see your doctor. His son isn't on that floor, but somehow he's always lurking at the edges whenever you come out of the exam room. Another person you just let those guards deal with."

"Oh, believe me," she answered. "I'm happy they're there. You'd think after I told him off, not just once, not twice, but five times that he'd get the hint. He wants to throw around that Jason has brain damage, but I swear he isn't right in the head. Honestly, I think he has this fantasy that we'll get back together and I'll become stepmother to Lucas."

She paused and shivered slightly before saying, "I don't blame Lucas for anything that happened, but it will be a cold day in hell before I ever get back together with Lucky Spencer. The few things I've remembered about him...I was seriously an idiot."

"Oh, darling, don't be too hard on yourself," Lottie told her. "You had a lot of baggage and he knew how to play on your fears. What matters now is that now that you don't have the emotions to go with what you've remembered or what everyone's telling you, that you don't have that guilt weighing you down. Just because Lucky Spencer might have helped you when you were younger, does not mean you have to give him the rest of your life or forgive him every time something happens. Nor does it mean you have to feel guilty about following your heart if it leads you away from him. I think it's a good thing you aren't clouded when you look at him anymore. The man...his whole family...they're worthless. I feel for his kid, too, but that doesn't mean you have to let your sister guilt you into going to see her."

"Believe me, I don't intend to," she shook her head. "I have no desire to see Sarah. If she was really concerned, she wouldn't have tried to make a deal; she would have just given the information she had to the FBI. Every time she tells them something, it never pans out. She's playing them, or giving half-truths. She doesn't really want to help, she just wants to appear that she's cooperating and try to play me and Steven. He won't do it. He hasn't gone to see her except one time when he told her exactly what he thought of her. I'm not even going to do that. As far as I'm concerned, they can lock her up and throw away the key."

She closed her eyes and leaned her head back on the couch, breathing slowly to calm her angry pulse. This always happened when she thought of her sister and the games the blonde was playing. She was tired of games.

"Have you heard from Jason?" Lottie asked. "Has he checked in with anybody since he suddenly took off two days ago claiming he might have a lead?"

"No," the younger woman said on a sigh. "But he does this. He gets focused on things and doesn't call."

"Well, maybe he just wants to know for sure before he says anything," her friend ventured, her tone cautious at the sudden shift in Elizabeth's mood. "Or maybe he can't get cell reception. I'm sure he'll call soon."

"Yeah," she replied, suddenly feeling very dejected and discouraged and not entirely understanding why. "Maybe."

But she wasn't feeling very optimistic at the moment.




This had been an utter waste of time. Although Francis had warned him about this, Jason had left town two days ago to join the men searching for Jake in the wake of the latest clue they had discovered. Most of the leads the men had previously been on had been nothing but dead ends and Franco certainly hadn't come closer to Port Charles like Francis had thought might happen when he suggested Jason stop chasing down every lead personally. But after endless days of sitting around, going over reports, sifting through clues, no matter how small, searching for anything that might give them answers, he'd grown restless. And impatient.

He was not someone who liked to sit around. It was why he'd hated being the boss the times he'd taken over the organization. He liked being out there and doing something. When he had a gun in his hand, when he was sliding down alleys waiting for someone to meet him, he felt that he was where he was supposed to be. Sitting around an apartment, waiting for others to bring information to him felt too much like Sonny. Sit back and let everyone else do the work while screaming at them for being too slow and demeaning them simply because they weren't producing results immediately. He never wanted to be like that, and so it was hard to sit back and know that men were out there searching for his son and Aiden and he was merely supervising.

Francis feared that they would be playing into Franco's hand. By having Jake, the artist had the power. Dangling clues and knowing that Jason was jumping up and tracking each one down played right into his sick and twisted plans. Francis had urged him to stay in Port Charles, to let the men continue to hunt, or to even have Francis go and join the search. He didn't want Jason out there because it would show that Jason was too eager, and Franco would now just toy with them more.

"Jason," Francis said, joining him at the large table in the hotel suite. "You should go back to Port Charles. I'll stay here, continue to track down this latest lead, but you should go."

When the worried father was about to protest, he held up his hand and continued on. "Look, we can turn this into our advantage still. You've made Franco feel like you're still playing his game; coming out on the search for Jake personally. But you're not going to stay here forever. You won't dance to his tune indefinitely. If you don't give him everything he wants, I still think the chances are better that he'll come to Port Charles. And when he's there, we can control things more."

"We don't know that, Francis," he disagreed in anxious annoyance. "We don't know that. He could think I don't care about Jake and just take him and disappear. Maybe he's already done that because each clue we've thought we found has turned out to be nothing. The clues before...back when I was out there personally searching...they led us somewhere. Now there's nothing!"

"He's not going to take Jake and disappear," the older man shook his head, bracing his elbows on the table and leaning forward. "He loves toying with you too much; he's not going to disappear. If he'd meant to do that, he would have gone so deep underground when he first got your son that he would have never known you were searching. He wants you to chase him; he's still working out the rules of the game."

"This isn't a game!" Jason thundered, standing up and sending his chair toppling backwards to the floor. "This is my son! This is a child who is missing. Whose mother is missing him. This isn't a game, Francis!"

"To him it is," the other man said softly, regretfully looking up at the younger man. "And you can't play it his way. You need to go home. You need to make him come to you instead of chasing him down. Jake isn't in Garfield, Georgia, and you need to go home. Trust me on this, Jason."

He sighed wearily, his shoulders slumping, but then he nodded. "Okay."

"We'll keep you up to date, I promise," Francis swore. "If we find anything that we think you need to see personally or if you need to come...we'll let you know. But for now...you need to go home. Go see Ms. Webber and her son. Get your stuff set up so that Sonny can't mess with your investments. You know he's not going to let this splitting of the business go...he's already trying stuff. He can't run his business without you there to bail him out and if you aren't paying attention, he's going to try to steal back the things you got when you divided your assets. It's just the way he is and you know it. There are things you can be doing in Port Charles."

He paused for a moment and then said, "Ms. Webber could probably use a friend to talk to since her nephew and sister are in Port Charles. Be that friend for her. You're not pushing her like the Quartermaines pushed you. But she responds to you, she seems to be comfortable with you, even if she's not fully comfortable. And what you do now can only help you against any anger that may come back when she remembers more. While it's great you're out there searching for your son, there are things back in Port Charles that are important. So go."

"Okay," he agreed. "Call and get the plane ready. I'll go get my stuff."

"Okay," his friend promised.

Jason had just turned for his bedroom when the other bedroom door slammed open and the research guy Francis had brought with him and Jason found himself trusting because the man was efficient, fast and didn't run his mouth off like Spinelli had always done, rushed out of the room he'd commandeered to have quiet while he searched. "I think I've just discovered where Helena Cassadine is."

"What?" Francis demanded, standing up. "Where?"

"Port Arthur, Tasmania," the man said. Then he swallowed thickly and said, "A police report tripped my search parameters. There...there was an accident. There was a baby with her."

"Was?" Jason asked, dread filling him. The man was visibly pale; the mobster feared just how bad the accident description or injury report was to cause it. He couldn't bear to tell Elizabeth that they may have found her son, only that he dead because of an accident.

"I don't know how...how bad it really is," the other man hedged. "But from the sound of the report...it's bad."

Part 22
Prompt - Love isn't brains, children, it's blood -- blood screaming inside you to work its will. (BTVS)

Elizabeth didn't think she had been a violent person before her amnesia; after all, she was a mother, she had an example to set. And every indication she got from those around her and her therapy was that she wasn't. Sometimes she probably should have been, or at least been a little more assertive and less of a doormat for the town to kick around. But right now, in this moment, Elizabeth felt blood pounding in her ears. It called to her to inflict damage and hurt on someone else....and not just with her sharp tongue that she'd been polishing whenever some fool thought they could start in on her. No, Elizabeth quite honestly wanted to rip someone's throat out with her teeth and watch them bleed to death.

It was a toss-up, really, as to who she wanted to hurt the most. But if she was absolutely forced to choose, she would choose her sister. Lucky Spencer was an annoying pest and she'd laid into him enough times and watched him walk away looking totally bewildered and unsettled to believe that she could continue to do so. He expected a wounded dove, and Elizabeth had no interest in playing that part anymore.

Sarah, though; Sarah was a different story entirely. Her sister was standing in the hospital corridor, ranting at Steven for not devoting all his time and attention to her son, and then when Elizabeth had stepped off the elevator for her appointment, Sarah had turned her vicious attack on Elizabeth. This was all her fault. It was her fault that Lucky was a fool who wasn't interested in his child, it was her fault that a bone marrow donor hadn't been found, it was her fault that Sarah was in jail and unable to spend more time with her son, it was also probably her fault that children were starving all over the world.

"Shut up," Elizabeth hissed out, her eyes narrowing as she finally ended her silence. While she'd hoped that Sarah would eventually just burn herself out and then Elizabeth could go to her appointment and dismiss the woman who unfortunately was related to her, it wasn't happening. Sarah was determined to blame her and hate her and she wasn't interested in standing around listening to it anymore.

"Look," she continued, lifting her finger to point at the woman who had to be escorted around the hospital in handcuffs. "I am not the criminal here. You're the one who worked with two different people to kidnap my children and order my death. I did nothing to you, Sarah. I didn't know that Lucky had fathered your child. I didn't tell him that he had to abandon Lucas. That's all on Lucky. If I'd known that Lucky had a child, I would have encouraged him to be a father to Lucas. I would have demanded he do something. I didn't know. And whose fault is that? You're the one that lied to your family."

With a shake of her head she said, "And as for not visiting you in jail...why should I? What could you possibly say to me except to tell me where my children are? And why should I have to come to you and beg for that information? Just to give you the pleasure of watching Lizzie once again begging you for something? Do you really hate me that much for being born that I have to grovel at your feet for information on my children? You say you have information, you say you want to tell the FBI what you know...but you haven't so far. You've just made more demands and more demands and more demands, but you haven't given up anything useful. You are still the same selfish, hurtful...cow who wasn't happy unless she was stringing both Lucky and Nikolas along. You knew Lucky had asked me to the Valentine's Day dance, but as soon as Nikolas told you that you couldn't go together you ran to Lucky and begged him to take you. That he did says a lot about him...but it also says a lot about you. You couldn't possibly let your sister go to the dance with a date and you show up all alone; no, that needs to be poor, pathetic Lizzie. Let her know where her proper place is in the family. Always behind Sarah. Sarah's the pretty one; Sarah's the smart one; Sarah's the one who needs a new dress, Lizzie can just wear Sarah's old one, Sarah's the one who can steal Lizzie's date and it's okay...because after all, Lizzie shouldn't have anything. She shouldn't have even been born because all she did was mess up perfect Sarah's perfect life."

When she finished she was breathing hard, her chest heaving like she'd just run up a flight of stairs, and everyone in the nurses' area was staring at her. Steven cleared his throat and slowly walked towards her. "E-Elizabeth?"

"Don't you dare," she rounded on him. "Don't you dare tell me to apologize to her. I won't. I won't take it back, I won't pretend like I shouldn't have said it. So if that's what you're going to tell me to do-"

"No," he shook his head. "I...I think what you told her was long overdue. And I think you're absolutely right. What both Sarah and Lucky did to you the night of the dance was terrible. You have every right to be angry. But I...I want to get you to your appointment with Patrick. And I...I'd really like to order an MRI. That was a pretty big chunk that you just remembered there and I'd like to get a reading."

"O-oh," she said, her hand trembling slightly as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Okay."

"Okay," he nodded. "Let's go. Epiphany? Would you call radiology and get a scan ordered immediately? Delay someone else if we have to, I don't care."

"Right away, Dr. Webber," she replied with brisk efficiency.

"Wait a minute, Steven," Sarah demanded as their brother put his arm around Elizabeth's shoulders and turned her away from the standing crowd. "You can't just walk off and leave me here. You can't let her say things like that."

"Sarah's right," Lucky unwisely said. "Elizabeth was out of line."

"Both of you shut up right now," the chief of staff bit out through clenched teeth. "Neither of you have any business on this floor; you just sought me out to once again yell at me for not taking on Lucas' case. Elizabeth wasn't out of line and I'm going to get her to radiology."

"Miss Webber," her lead guard Cleveland Harrison - he went by Harrison and anyone who thought it would be funny to call him Cleveland ended up with a busted lip and a black eye - stepped in front of her and held out a cell phone. "Mr. Morgan's on the phone and needs to talk to you. He says it's urgent."

Hesitantly she reached out and took the phone, feeling everyone's eyes on her and said, "H-hello?"

"Elizabeth, it's Jason," he said unnecessarily. She knew who it was. But he seemed to be slow to speak and as a pause dragged on, broken by soft sounds like he started to speak and then couldn't finish she really began to worry.

"Jason?" she asked, turning slightly towards Steven while her brow furrowed. "What is it? Is it...is it Jake?"

"No," he said. "It...it might be Aiden. I've had my men searching and...and my computer guy set up some parameters for anything that might relate to Helena and..."

"And?" she prompted when he trailed off once again. She looked up at Steven worriedly who was watching her with concern and asked, "What is it?"

"According to a police report she might have been in an accident in Australia," he said softly. "With Aiden. My guy is digging deeper, but I...I wanted you to know. It...it might be wise to head to Australia."

"Australia," she whispered, looking at Steven who had been leaning towards her, trying to listen to the conversation. "Why...why would she be in Australia?"

"I don't know," her son's father answered. "But I wanted you to know. I...I can meet you...and Steven...if you want. We-we can go together. We...we didn't find anything in Georgia and I was going to come home. I-I'll go with you...but it's up to you. Regardless, your guards know what to do, I'm arranging a private jet to get you to Los Angeles...we could meet there."

"Okay," she nodded. "Yes. Thank you."

She closed the phone and looked at her brother who wore obvious concern on his face. "We need to go. Jason...Jason said he might have discovered Helena and Aiden in Australia. But...but there was a crash; he got information from a police report, but doesn't know for sure that it's her or what their condition is. But...but I think we should go. Helena is so hard to find, and this might be our only chance to catch her if we don't go now."

"Then come on," he said as he took gently took her upper arm and led her towards the elevator. The guards had already pressed the button to call the elevator to their floor and they all stepped on together, ignoring Sarah as she called out to them, and pushing Lucky back when he tried to step into the car with them. As they rode down to the garage Steven said, "We need to call the FBI. They can call the Australian authorities. And we need to get Aiden's information...pictures, birth certificate, medical information and bring it with us."

Looking over at Harrison he asked, "Jason is meeting us?"

"In Los Angeles," the guard nodded. "So as soon as you get your passports and anything you might need, we'll head to the airport where a jet will be waiting."

"Then the FBI can meet us there," the doctor declared, pulling out his phone.

Elizabeth stood numbly at the back of the elevator and tucked her chin down onto her clasped fingers. They might have found another one of her children. A child she didn't remember and had hardly spent any time with. What if she didn't remember him like she did Cameron? What if it wasn't him? What if it was but Helena disappeared with him before they got there?

"Hey," her brother said, cutting through her thoughts as he wrapped his arm around her. "It'll be okay. I know you've got to be worried. It's a long flight...but the FBI will be talking to the authorities before we even get to Los Angeles, so we may know something before we start on the flight."

"Or maybe we won't even have to go," she said dejectedly.

"It's better to be close in case we do need to go," he said. "It's time to think positive, Elizabeth. We've already gotten a miracle when you and Cameron were found; we're not going to lose Aiden or Jake. We won't."

Closing her eyes she turned into him, fisting her hands in his shirt as tears stung her eyes. "I hope so, Steven. I really hope so."




Everyone stood around stunned when the elevator doors closed and Lucky looked furious that Elizabeth's guards had prevented him from getting on the car with them, but Sarah was glad. Lucky needed to be reminded just what a selfish person her sister really was. It was ridiculous how he believed that Saint Elizabeth could do no wrong and even now, when his actual biological child was here in Port Charles, he was still panting after Elizabeth and her children.

A part of her almost didn't say anything, like she wanted to give Lucky even more of an excuse to ignore Lucas and focus only on Elizabeth, but it was for Lucas that she knew she needed to speak up. Because just like she'd proved in California when she agreed to Helena's demands, she would do anything for her child.

"Lucky," she said, stepping towards him and frowning at the prison guard that stood in her way. As if she could jump onto the elevator and nobody would notice the handcuffed woman escaping. "We need to talk."

"Not now, Sarah," he dismissed her, still frowning at the elevators he'd been denied boarding and glancing over at the stairs. Could he really be considering running after Elizabeth to try to play her hero? Unbelievable.

"Yes, now," she said sharply. He looked over at her and frowned slightly when she arched her brow insistently. "We need to talk."

"Fine," he huffed, walking towards her and crossing his arms over his chest when he stopped in front of her. "What?"

Sarah looked around and saw the nurse behind the desk, the one that seemed to champion all of Elizabeth's causes and had immediately jumped at Steven's orders, staring at them. She glared back and then demanded, "Do you mind?"

"Not at all," the older woman replied.

Looking at Lucky she said, "We need to talk. Somewhere private."

He rolled his eyes but apparently decided to humor her. "Fine. I'm sure there's an empty room, or a less crowded place."

When Sarah went to follow him, the guard grabbed her arm and she hissed at him, "Do you mind?"

"Nope," he drawled. "But what makes you think I'm going to let you wander off alone?"

"I need to talk to my son's father," she answered.

"You're a prisoner," he returned. "You gave up your right to expectations of privacy. You want a less conspicuous place to talk to keep others from overhearing, fine. But don't think I'm going to leave."

"Fine," she bit out testily. "Let's go then before Lucky wanders off. I need to speak to him. It's very important regarding our son."

He motioned for her to walk and Sarah joined Lucky in a quiet corner of the hospital. The guard stopped a few feet away and she was certain he could overhear, but at least not everyone else would.

"You need to go to Australia," she told Lucky. "You need to follow Elizabeth."

Frowning at her, her son's father crossed his arms over his chest and asked, "Why? That's the last thing I ever thought I'd hear you say. I figured this would be some demand for me to spend time with Lucas and to stop mooning after Elizabeth like you've been sniping about. Now you're actually encouraging me to go after your sister?"

"Yes," she breathed out, trying to keep a hold on her temper. He was an idiot mooning after Elizabeth, but this was more important. "Because it might help Lucas."

"How?" he wondered.

"Aiden might be able to help Lucas," she replied. "I...I don't know what his condition is. But if he's hurt...if he doesn't make it...then he might be able to help Lucas and you need to be there. You need to go there to advocate for our son."

"You want me to convince Elizabeth to donate her son's organs or bone marrow to Lucas?" he asked her. "You don't think she would do that if you sent a request along with the FBI? In case you haven't noticed, Sarah, Elizabeth doesn't want to be around me as much as she doesn't want to be around you. If you want me to help our son, why do you think I'd be able to convince Elizabeth to do anything?"

"Because you have rights to Aiden just as much as she does," she told him. "And you can authorize a transplant."

When he frowned at her she rolled her eyes and spelled it out for him, because they didn't have time for the great Lucky Spencer to actually piece it together. "This was Helena's plan, Lucky. She kidnapped Aiden not because he's Nikolas' son and she wants to train the next generation of Cassadines properly...he's your son and she thinks the greatest revenge would be to raise a Spencer up to be her Cassadine heir and hate Nikolas and the Spencers."

She planted both hands on his chest and pushed him back and said, "So get to Australia and help our son...or so help me, Lucky, you won't like what I do next."

Part 23
Prompt - It is foolish to tear one's hair in grief, as though sorrow would be made less by baldness. ~ Cicero

That conniving witch. She'd known. She had to have known. All this time. She could have even been in on this whole plan with Helena, and then been double-crossed. It would have served her right. Or maybe she was faking this whole amnesia thing as a way to cover-up that nothing had gone according to her plan.

She'd taken another child away from him. Such a lying little whore, she could never remain faithful to him. She could never do what she was supposed to do. Jake should have been his, but no, she had to go off and screw Jason like she'd wanted to for years, and then get pregnant with his child. Then after he proposed to her, she started sleeping with his brother. She claimed it was too much; he'd pushed too fast, she'd been hurt and confused and just didn't know what to do. But she'd just wanted to hurt him like she always did. And what could hurt more than to take another child away from him?

Well, at least Sarah had told the truth. She'd told him what Elizabeth had kept from him. Aiden was his son. Of course, Sarah only told him that so that he would go to Australia and if his son was dying or dead, he would be in a position to get bone marrow to give to Lucas. Same father, sisters for mothers...the odds should be good that Aiden would match Lucas. But that wasn't why Lucky had come. He'd come for his son. Everyone was going around claiming that he had no legal rights to Cameron, or even Jake, but he would for Aiden.

If this was Aiden in Australia, then Lucky was going to sue for custody. With Elizabeth's amnesia, faked or real, and her history of infidelity and lying about paternities of her children, he would have a case. Throw in her association with Jason Morgan, Cameron starting the fire that had nearly killed Jake, her time in Shady Brooke and most damning of all her affair with his brother and Lucky thought he stood a good chance of getting custody of his son. And then he would do everything in his power to make sure Elizabeth never got him back.

That was why Lucky was standing at the airport counter claiming hardship and a family emergency to get on the next available flight that would get him on his way to Australia. He could have asked his brother to borrow the Cassadine jet, but there was no way he was going to tip Nikolas off. He would insist on coming with to find his son, and wouldn't believe what Sarah had claimed. Or even if he did, he would still insist on coming, and Lucky didn't want that. He was going to confront Elizabeth about the truth and then get his son. He didn't need family around for that.




"Excuse me, Sergeant Cleveland?"

The shift supervisor looked up from the paperwork on his desk and said, "What is it, McKinley?"

"Sir, I overheard something Sarah Webber said today at the hospital," the guard said, coming in and standing in front of the older man's desk. "It's something I think the FBI should know."

The man nodded. "Does it have to do with her case?"

"Yes," he confirmed. "And also with something that happened today at the hospital. I think the FBI needs to get this information to someone else as well."

"Okay," the sergeant agreed. "Let them know. Unless you want me to pass it along up the chain of command?"

"No, but I may need your help contacting the agents who are with Elizabeth Webber. They're en route to Australia and I want to make sure this information gets to them before they land." He looked at his supervisor, knowing that as a mere guard he may not be listened to as quickly as his superior and he didn't want Elizabeth Webber to walk into a situation without all the information. He knew she'd been injured and didn't remember everything, and he thought Sarah Webber was a pain in the butt prisoner, and what her sister had been keeping from the worried mother was disgusting. He was a father himself, and he didn't want her to get blindsided when that Spencer punk showed up.

"Alright, McKinley," Cleveland said. "Let's make the call from here."

"Thanks, Sarge," he said with relief. "I appreciate it."




They were about an hour outside of Los Angeles and still had another thirteen to go until they reached Sydney when the steward came and told Jack that there was a phone call for him and he could take it in the galley. The FBI agent looked at his friend as he stood up and followed the airline employee, and Steven looked down at his sister who was asleep, and then across the nearly empty first class cabin to see Jason Morgan looking curiously after where the federal agent had gone. He turned to meet the doctor's gaze and could only shrug a little.

At least the cabin was empty, except for those connected to their party. Using their FBI badges, and Jason's willingly given money, they had managed to secure that they were the only passengers in first class for the long flight to Sydney. Then they would be able to move around easier and talk freely without other people in the way. Jack and his partner had flown out with Steven and Elizabeth and her guards on the private plane that Morgan had arranged. The former mobster met them in Los Angeles and between the FBI and Jason's resources and connections, they were soon on their way, not really caring about any disgruntled passengers they might have left in their wake.

"Steven."

He looked up to find Jack standing in the aisle and stood up when his friend motioned for him to follow. He couldn't stop the glance at the other worried man in the cabin, and nodded his head to tell Jason to come.

They met back in the empty galley, the steward and stewardess assigned to first class apparently making themselves scarce elsewhere at the moment, and asked, "What's going on?"

"I just talked with one of Sarah's guards who was with her at the hospital today," Jack stated, shifting uncomfortably. "After you and Elizabeth left, Sarah demanded to talk to Lucky in private. The guard let them go somewhere where others wouldn't overhear them, but he made no bones that he wasn't going to let them be completely alone and that she didn't have any expectation of privacy in her conversation. She apparently didn't care that he was going to overhear, she was more interested in telling Lucky that he had to get to Australia in case it was Aiden."

Steven frowned and said, "Why?"

"In case he's hurt and doesn't make it, she wants Lucky to get his bone marrow for Lucas," his friend said. "She...she told him to make sure he gets it or she won't like what she does next."

"What could she do?" Jason wondered.

"I don't know," the agent sighed. "But she dropped a pretty big bombshell that she was keeping."

He looked at Steven uncomfortably and finally just said, "According to her, Lucky is Aiden's father. Helena knew. She wasn't taking Nikolas' son to raise to be the kind of Cassadine that she wanted, she was taking a Spencer and intended to raise him to hate the Spencers and be a Cassadine."

The stunned uncle staggered back against the galley wall and demanded, "What?"

"As soon as the guard called the local office, agents went and talked to Sarah," Jack told them. "After they threatened her that they'd never let her go back to the hospital to see her son, she finally admitted what she's known since Helena contacted her in California. Helena Cassadine switched the paternity results; Lucky is Aiden's father. It was how Helena got Sarah to cooperate. With Lucky being Aiden's father as well as her son's and she and your sister being related..."

"She thought Aiden might be a match to help Lucas. She was hoping for the stem cells or blood transfusion or something," Steven filled in, closing his eyes wearily in disgust. "But Helena double-crossed her, and she never said anything. But this is what she was dangling, telling us she had knowledge and would give it to us after we helped her."

He wanted to punch something in his anger towards his sister. He couldn't believe she was this selfish that she would play with their sister's life and her children like this. She'd known this, and hadn't said anything. Now it all made sense why Helena was so determined to get her hands on Aiden, and why she apparently hadn't gone to Europe like they'd all expected her to. She was determined to hide so she could keep Aiden and raise him to be her ultimate revenge on Nikolas and the Spencer family.

"So Lucky knows," Jason said, bringing Steven back to the situation at hand.

"Yeah," he nodded. "Local office ran a search; he's currently about to land in Los Angeles and catch a flight to Sydney in a few hours. He's on his way to Australia."

"Probably not to help Lucas," the doctor said in disgust. "But because he's found out that he and Elizabeth are now tied together by a child. Did his Irish girlfriend come along with him?"

"Nope," Jack shook his head. "She's back in Port Charles, probably doesn't even known Lucky's left. This actually works out for us, because we've been searching her background and discovered that she was messed up in some stuff in Ireland, possible terrorist connections; she's not someone we want in the United States. But we didn't want to tip her and Spencer off because we didn't know what they'd do. We'd gotten wind that she was claiming she was afraid to go to back to Ireland and Spencer might be pondering a green card wedding for her."

"Typical," the former mobster at his side snorted in disgust. "He can do whatever he wants, but always yelled at Elizabeth because of her association with me."

"He was jealous," Steven said in flat bluntness. "Because he knew my sister loved you more than she loved him and if she ever just decided to go for it and believed that she and the boys would be safe with you, or that you wanted them more than you wanted others in your life, that there was no chance he'd ever get her back. So he was always playing up the danger you presented, but never mind the fact that he was sleeping with Sam, or that he was investigating the Russians in an unapproved undercover operation, or that he brings some chick to America with possible terrorist ties, and let's not forget the threat of Helena constantly over his head simply by being a Spencer. As long as Elizabeth wasn't with you, that's all he cared about."

He and Morgan stared at each other a long moment and he saw many emotions float through the other man's eyes. Surprise, regret, disbelief...others; it was hard to exactly tell, but he suspected the man who had only recently dissolved his business dealings with Sonny Corinthos hadn't been expecting him to say what he had.

"Look," Jack cut through the tension and unease and said, "we need to let Elizabeth know."

"No," Steven automatically said. "Not now. Not right now."

Jason looked at him sharply and said, "Why not? You want to lie to your sister?"

He had a retort on his tongue about how the former mobster had lied to his sister plenty of times but never had the ability to say it because Jason continued on. "No. The one thing I've learned about Elizabeth, before her accident and especially since then, is that she's strong. She's stronger than she gives herself credit for, or that most people give her credit for. And she deserves to know. She needs to know."

"I wasn't planning on keeping it from her forever," the older brother snapped back defensively. "But what good does it do to tell her now? She's trapped on an airplane, unable to get answers...we don't even know if it is Aiden. You want to have her stuck on here for hours, worrying and pacing and going out of her mind over this discovery?"

"If the alternative is to dump it on her just before she walks into the hospital to potentially see her child," his sister's former lover countered, "then yes. It gives her time to process it. Let her cry about it. Be angry about it. Do whatever she needs to do about it. But then when she lands, and she walks into that hospital, she'll be ready to face whatever happens. Especially if it's Helena and Aiden in there."

"I agree," the FBI agent said. "I think Morgan's right. We need to give her time to process this. You know how long it took her to be ready to face her son Cameron. We're going to land, catch another small plane to get down to Tasmania, what's going to be your excuse then Steven? The plane's too small? We need tell her. She deserves the truth, and it's better that it comes from us instead of Spencer blurting it out because you haven't said anything."

He looked at the two men standing united in front of him and then shifted slightly so he could look down the aisle to his sister's seat. She'd fallen asleep shortly after take off, the stress she'd carried on their flight to Los Angeles and seeing Jason once again finally catching up with her. He just hated the thought, though, of giving her this information and knowing that it was going to upset her. Hurt her. Potentially make her retreat back away from them and withdraw into herself. His jaw clenched and he wanted to hurt Sarah again so badly.

"Fine," he finally said, knowing that the other two were right, but still having a hard time admitting it. "Fine. When she wakes up...we'll tell her. I'll tell her. It's going to devastate her, though."

"I know," Jason sighed. "But she needs to know."

Then he looked at Jack and his voice developed a bitter edge as he asked, "You've got people there at the hospital, right? If it is Helena...I don't want her disappearing."

The agent nodded and said, "We've got local police, agents from the embassy and I even ordered a couple of plain clothes Marines to the area. I'll deal with any anger from the Australians later; I know that Helena has a knack for disappearing and I don't want it. As far as we know, she's still unconscious. The hospital staff has been alerted, they're not to allow her associates to be in the room alone with her. If they have to take her off for tests and have her be gone for several hours, then they'll do it. None of us wants her to disappear, Morgan. But if she does...I don't want you interfering in the search for her."

"I won't promise that," Morgan shook his head and Steven found himself oddly grateful for the man's defiance. "Helena Cassadine has hurt too many people, and has done too much. My sister was one of those people and I never did what I could have, or should have. Now that she arranged for my son to be kidnapped, for Elizabeth and her sons to be hurt...I'm not going to stand back and let her escape and hope that someone manages to track her down again. It would be better for Helena if she died due to her injuries, because I'm done standing back and letting people hurt my family. And if I have to go over you to take care of it...then that's what will happen."

Then he turned and left the galley, heading back to his seat across the aisle from Elizabeth. Steven lifted his brow as he looked at Jack and said, "You know...I actually believe him. Scary that I almost wish him luck on it, huh?"

Part 24
Prompt - Pride

Jason was so proud of Elizabeth's strength. When she heard the news about Aiden's paternity and why Helena had done what she had, she had trembled and cried and Steven had held her gently. He glared at the FBI agent and the former mobster as if to say he'd been right; they shouldn't have told her on the airplane. But Jason had known they were right to do it this way. She wandered off to the bathroom after a while and even though over twenty minutes passed, nobody was too worried. She needed privacy and they would give it to her.

When she finally emerged, her eyes red and puffy and her face obviously wet from having washed it, Jason had known they'd been right. Steel seemed to have entered her spine; she stood a little taller, her shoulders drawn back, her chin high. She sat back down in her seat and told them she would be fine. She was quiet, and obviously angry. It brewed and simmered until she finally unleashed it and vented against her sister, against the Spencer family for their toying games with Helena and against the older woman for her vicious plan.

Over the next several hours, they talked about things, and his son's mother continued to work through the myriad of emotions that were running through her. And as Jason watched her, he knew that she would be fine. She would still carry that hurt, that fear and that anger, but she would be fine. And the piece of his heart that he'd forced himself to lock away, to forget about the times they'd shared together, the love that had been growing between them, refused to stay hidden.

He remembered all that he'd loved about her. Why he'd loved her, and why part of him still did. He'd done his best to protect her and her children by walking away, and it had been a mistake. He'd done his best to move on to the life he thought he deserved, with the woman he thought he deserved since he couldn't have the one he truly wanted, and it had been a mistake. He now knew that to do anything but somehow work to have Elizabeth in his life, in whatever capacity she'd allow him, would be a mistake.

"Just a minute, Steven," he heard Elizabeth say as she came out of the bathroom in the private airport hanger where they were waiting for the jet he'd rented to be fueled.

She appeared at his side, standing with her hands tucked into her pockets as they looked out the window onto the tarmac where workers were finishing fueling the plane. "I wanted to say thank you."

He turned his head briefly and said, "You're welcome. I knew it would be the quickest way. None of us wanted to drive down and then take a ferry."

"That's true," she acknowledged with a nod of her head. "But that wasn't what I meant. I wanted to say thank you for arguing with Steven about telling me the truth while we were on the airplane. It did give me time to process everything."

She swallowed and continued, "Thank you for having faith in me. For your very first instinct to be to tell me the truth. It...it seems silly to say this, but...it means a lot to me."

"It's not silly," he told her with a shake of his head. "I...I didn't always do it in the past. So...so maybe you're feeling that. I would tell myself that I needed to protect you, that it was better if you didn't know certain things. And sometimes it was better; then you wouldn't have to lie to the police, although you proved yourself willing to do that for me on more than one occasion. I just never wanted you to be in that position."

He sighed and his shoulders rounded down as he tucked his hands into his pockets, mirroring her stance. "But I didn't always do things the right way. I could have told you more things than what I did, or trusted you enough to not avoid you completely while allowing others around me. I...I also didn't trust you when we were together after Jake was born. I thought you were just putting on a brave face and telling me what I wanted to hear but that in reality you regretted things. I wasn't going to do that again; I wasn't going to make the mistake of thinking you needed to be protected from the truth. You deserved to know, and you needed to know sooner rather than later so you could deal with it. You're going to be dealing with enough at the hospital."

The mention of the hospital and what was waiting seemed to subdue her, her body swaying slightly at the mention. She crossed her arms over her middle protectively and rubbed her hands on her upper arms. Then she firmed her shoulders and reached out, briefly placing her hand on his forearm and said, "Thank you. For...for your honesty, and for your faith. I...I don't know what's going to happen when we get there, but I feel that with Steven, and with you there, I can face anything. I know your natural inclination will be to retreat back, to not want to intrude on a family matter, but...but I know I'm going to need you there, Jason. So...so please don't withdraw on me."

"I won't," he promised her softly, his voice unable to find much strength or the ability to say more. She couldn't possibly know how she'd pierced him with those words, but he wouldn't let her down. Not this time.




"You okay?" Steven asked her as they stepped out of the car.

Elizabeth clutched his hand, glanced over her shoulder at Jason who was rounding the car to approach her, and then nodded. "Let's do this."

It was hard to believe that a day before, on a completely different continent, she'd stood in a different hospital and found out that her youngest son might have been found. Now she was walking through hospital corridors, an administrator talking to her brother, police investigators talking to the FBI agents that had accompanied them, and approaching the critical care unit where a young child lay after having undergone emergency surgery. She didn't hear any of the conversations, though; she was taking deep breaths and trying to remain calm for what was to come.

"Miss Webber?"

She blinked when she realized they'd stopped and a kind looking, elderly woman was looking at her while waiting for a reply. "Y-yes."

"I'm Nurse Rosie," she smiled kindly. "Will you come with me? I'll show you where to wash up and change and then we'll meet the doctor."

She looked over at Steven expectantly, almost desperately, and he immediately said, "I'm coming with you, Elizabeth. You know I will."

"I...I know," she nodded. Then she looked at Jason, her eyes wide with unspoken question.

He stepped closer and said, "I'll wait right here with the others. You go in with your brother."

She swallowed thickly and then followed after Rosie, washing her hands with automatic surgical precision until Steven chuckled and said she could stop. Then they donned the paper coverings and walked into a room with several cribs. It wasn't a NICU unit, but there were several cribs with a myriad of medical equipment surrounding them and several nurses seated in the center of the room looking over monitors and occasionally getting up to check on a child. In the far corner, with as much privacy as they could arrange under such conditions, they trailed behind Rosie as she made her way to a tall, graying doctor.

"Miss Webber?" he questioned as she stopped. "Doctor Taft." He held his hand out to her, and then Steven. "And you must be Doctor Webber."

"Yes," Steven nodded when she didn't respond. She was focused on what little she could see of the child in the bed and her heart lurched.

"We've run tests on our young patient here," the Australian continued. "And compared them to the blood type and test results you had sent to us from your hospital in New York. We'd like to do a DNA comparison with samples from him and Miss Webber, but we are fairly confident that this is Aiden Cassadine."

"Webber," Elizabeth corrected. She wasn't going to explain to him that Nikolas may not actually be his father, and she wasn't going to automatically call this little boy a Spencer. She and her children were Webbers.

"Webber," the doctor noted. "Let me explain to you the extent of his injuries."

He sighed heavily and said, "Unfortunately, they are extensive. We've done our best to repair the damage, but his vitals are not improving."

"Steven," she said, looking at him briefly. "Find out his condition, please."

She knew she was not in the frame of mind to listen to the doctor rambling. While she did remember some things of her medical training and could sometimes understand terminology perfectly, at other times it was a foreign language to her. Most of all, she knew that she would understand very little of it with her son lying there, tubes and wires running from his body to IV bags and monitors.

Stepping past the doctor and up to the side of the crib containing her son, she reached and placed a hand lightly on his chest. It wasn't a moment like where she remembered holding Cameron, but it was still strong. The unmistakable truth that this dark-haired little boy was her son started in her chest and filled her until her entire body burned with confirmation. She remembered little toes and little fingers and absolute terror when he went missing from the hospital nursery right after he was born.

"Hello, Aiden," she whispered, looking down at him as tears burned her eyes and blurred her vision. "Oh, my sweet baby...I wish that I could hold you."

Gentle arms came to support her when she didn't think her legs would hold her any longer and she leaned against her brother as tears streamed down her cheeks. "It's him," she said hoarsely. "It's him; I know it."

"It is," he confirmed. "It is."

His hand brushed over a small patch of skin on his nephew that wasn't covered by sensor pads and then he wrapped his arms around her. She turned to him, her hand fisting in the flimsy covering over his clothes while one hand remained on her child. She didn't know where the doctor and nurse were; she really didn't care. She knew. She knew enough from her medical training, she knew looking at the monitors and gazing down on his battered and bruised little body and she knew. Knew because she was his mother and cursing because she'd lost so much time with him.

"He's not going to make it, is he?" she asked her brother, demanding of him to tell her the truth.

"There's always a chance, Elizabeth," he told her, forcing hope into his voice. "But...but it's a slim chance. I-I think we need to prepare ourselves."




It was late, but Elizabeth was not going to leave the hospital. Not when she was spending what moments she could with her son. Tests had been rushed, a few were still waiting to come back, but everyone knew, especially when they looked in on a sedated, and restrained, Helena Cassadine. Aiden Webber had been found. But the car accident that had broken the Cassadine matriarch's collar bone and punctured her lung - she hadn't been able to procure a reinforced car since she was trying to avoid suspicion and detection - had left the small little boy seriously injured when his car seat had detached from the base due to the sheer force of the accident and it rolled from the broken car.

Steven and the doctor had spent a lot of time talking and then her brother would update Elizabeth on her son's condition, but Jason could see that there didn't seem to be much hope. It would be a miracle if the little boy recovered, and he wasn't sure they'd get it. They'd found Helena and Aiden, mostly by chance because the driver got too aggressive trying to pass another car on what turned out to be a blind curve, and Jason's heart broke for the young mother that her miracle was most likely going to be taken away from her.

Sitting down beside her, he offered her a cup of tea and a sandwich he'd sent one of the guards out to find. The food here was terrible and there was no reason to subject themselves to it.

"Thank you," she said, her voice flat at her eyes remained focused on the door across from her that led to Aiden's room. Steven had forced her from the room a few minutes ago and told her to take a break, even try to get some sleep, while he sat with the young boy. Jason had even been permitted into the room once while Steven went off to oversee some details with the doctor, but Elizabeth hadn't left since she'd walked into the room hours ago.

"They're testing him to see if he'd be a preliminary match-up for Lucas," she informed him. "No need to subject him to more tests if there's not a chance of him matching."

He nodded his head, not surprised that she was considering the transplant for Lucas in spite of all that had happened to her because of her sister. He knew her, and even if she didn't say the words out loud, he knew that she didn't blame her nephew for anything that happened to her or her children. That was all on Sarah Webber, but she wouldn't punish the little boy if there was a chance to help him.

"We don't have to decide quite yet," she continued, letting out a heavy breath. "But Steven thinks we should be prepared. If he is a match and he survives...I don't know what we'll do. But..."

She turned her head to look at him and he could see the despair in her eyes. "But I'm afraid-"

Whatever she might have said next was drowned out by the sound of Lucky Spencer angrily marching down the hall, shouting at anyone and everyone who got in his way.

"That's my son in there," he shouted. Then he spotted Elizabeth and he charged, grabbing hold of her and dragging her to her feet. "You knew, didn't you?! You knew and you went along with Helena to punish me."

"That's enough, Lucky," Jason growled as he grabbed the other man along with one of Elizabeth's guards and pulled the out-of-control man back. "You touch her again and I promise you I'll put a bullet between your eyes."

Part 25
Prompt - I don't remember life before you.

"No," Lucky shook his head, fighting against Jason and Harrison and still maintaining his grip on Elizabeth. "She knew. She knew Aiden was mine but she went along with Helena to make Nikolas think he was the father. Then she was in on this."

"The only person in on it," Elizabeth spat out as the two men finally pulled her ex-husband back, "was Sarah. You know...the mother of your son."

"Aiden is my son," he countered, straining against Jason and Harrison's hold. "And you knew. You knew and you wanted to punish me."

"Are you kidding, Lucky?" she asked incredulously. "I wanted Aiden to be yours. I was devastated when I got the paternity results. It's part of why I lost my mind last year. Even though you were going around yelling at me, calling me a bitch and a whore and a slut and what was it...oh, yeah...comparing me to a farm animal and wondering where that shattered, little girl who crawled out of the bushes on Valentine's Day went...I still wanted you to be Aiden's father."

She shook her head and said, "I was that messed up. I was just certain that if you were the father everything would be fixed. Instead...you ran off and brought back an Irish terrorist and my children were kidnapped because the danger you brought into my life. Not Jason."

"Jake is gone because of Jason," the ex-cop spat at her contemptuously. "Franco wanted Jake because of Jason."

"And Helena wanted Aiden because of you. She - your family's sworn enemy - ordered Cameron and I killed," she countered. "And the reason why my sister went along with her plan is because you are such a pathetic and disgusting man that you walked away from your child simply because you didn't want his mother."

Tilting her head mockingly to the side she said, "Isn't that what you implied Jason had done. He tossed aside Jake because he didn't want me? I was a nothing...I was pathetic...I was a loser and Jason had finally wised up and saw that and that's why he tossed me aside and paid me five million dollars to go away and went back to Sam. Because Sam was perfect for him. I wasn't the kind of woman he wanted."

She paused as she was suddenly struck by what she was saying, the truths that had flooded into her mind and she stepped back in disgust. "Oh my... That's why you said those things, isn't it? You wanted me weak. You wanted me broken. You...you wanted me to be that frightened, broken, raped little girl who crawled out of the bushes and looked to you as my hero. But even when I was doing that...it still wasn't enough for you. Even when you had said all those things and I believed them, when I bought into them, when I just wanted you to be in my life and make it all better, it wasn't enough. You wanted to make me pay. Pay for being a slut and sleeping with Jason and getting pregnant. Pay for being a whore with your brother and getting pregnant. Pay for every time I'd grown stronger and moved away from you. Your ego couldn't take that, could it? I had to look at you as the only guy in my life."

Elizabeth stepped back and slowly shook her head, horrified as she realized how he'd manipulated her...how he'd abused her to get her to be the broken, needy women that he craved, but then punished her for actually being. Pure fury was written across Jason and Harrison's faces, and the other people standing in the small waiting area outside Aiden's were watching with a mixture of anger and disgust. Steven stood frozen by the door, shooting deadly glares at Lucky's back, but she only saw those things on the periphery. She was focused on Lucky and the realization that he'd told her all those things, not to be sympathetic like he'd claimed, but because he'd wanted her hurt and falling apart so that after she'd paid enough, he could swoop in and be her hero once again.

"The worst part about all of this, Lucky," she told him, her voice shaking as emotions overwhelmed her, "is not the years of abuse that you have heaped on me to take me back to that completely raw place I was after my rape, it's that...it's that apparently you like me that way. And yet, it's got to be so tough to realize that you love a broken woman like your mother, so you have to go out and sleep with someone else to feel like a man. You slept with my sister and yet crucified me for sleeping with your brother. You walked away from your child simply because I wasn't his mother, and yet scorned Jason. You...you are so like Luke, aren't you?"

"I am nothing like my father," he ground out at her. "And throwing all this psychobabble crap at me doesn't change the fact that you kept my child away from me."

"A child I didn't know was yours because your family's enemy didn't want me to know," she clarified. "And yes, you are exactly like your father. Oh, you may not have raped me yourself that Valentine's Day, but you certainly got off on the aftermath, didn't you? So what does that say about you, Lucky? Son of the man who raped your mother."

"Shut up!" he yelled, charging at her and breaking out of Jason and Harrison's hold. He grabbed her and spun her around furiously, his face twisted with rage. "You don't speak about my parents that way. You don't have any right to say anything."

Harrison reached them first and grabbed for Lucky, and the other men in the hallway sprung into action as well. Lucky twisted out of the guard's grasp, bending Elizabeth with him as he moved because he wouldn't let go of his tight grip on her shoulders.

"You are a whore," he shouted at her, pushing her away from him in disgust. "You've always been a whore!"

Her feet had gotten tangled up with his when he spun them and she couldn't get them free when he pushed her. Unable to step back in an attempt to keep her balance, she felt herself falling and knew she was going to hit the ground. Unfortunately, she didn't know she was going to fall into the corner of the wall, until she hit it and heard Jason yell her name just as the world went dark.




"Elizabeth!" Jason yelled as he watched her stumble and begin her fall to the ground. He saw the corner of the wall behind her, he knew she wasn't going to get her footing in time, and he knew she was going to hit.

He was certain Lucky would reach for her, try to help her; no matter what the other man might have said or felt...or even done, surely he would help her. Instead, the younger man stood by and did nothing as she fell and then landed against the wall, her head hitting the corner with a sickening sound and twisting her neck at an odd angle.

Rushing forward, he grabbed Lucky, jerked the other man around and swung his fist, connecting to the former cop's jaw with a resounding crack. Jason let go of his shirt, not bothering to see whether the man stayed on his feet or not, but pushed past him to get to Elizabeth. Dropping to his knees beside her, he reached for her, but then stopped, his hands hovering just inches away. The bend of her neck, the obvious blow to her head; he was afraid to touch her and injure her.

"Jason." Steven appeared at his side only a fraction of a second later and placed a hand on his shoulder briefly, then nudged him slightly to the side. "Let me look at her."

More medical personnel flooded into the area and Jason had to step back to make way for them, the neck brace, the back board and the host of other paraphernalia they brought with them. But he didn't go far. He stayed where he could always see her, listening to Steven as the doctor assessed her and spoke with his Australian counterparts.

Finally she was lifted onto a gurney and gently strapped down, her eyes never opening, and Steven stood and met Jason's gaze. "We're going to take her for tests," he explained to Jason. "A CT scan to start, then we'll move her to a room."

He placed his hand lightly on Jason's shoulder and said, "I'll come get you as soon as we get her settled in, I promise. Will you stay here and tell the police what happened? And...and then will you go in and sit with Aiden?"

Looking over his shoulder, Jason saw that Spencer had been restrained by hospital security, although he appeared to be unconscious himself, and then looked back at Steven. "Yeah. I'll sit with Aiden."

"Thank you, Jason," he said gratefully. "I need to go with them, but I'll give you an update as soon as I know anything."

Then the gurney was rushed off, and the worried man let out a breath before firming his shoulders and turning around. He saw a doctor and a nurse tending to Lucky, but they weren't working on him with the frantic urgency that everyone had done with Elizabeth. Stepping up to them he asked, "How is he?"

"Unconscious," the doctor said, standing and stripping off his gloves. "We'll need to get him for an x-ray...you may have broken his jaw."

The doctor didn't sound bothered by that declaration, in fact, he sounded almost as if he were hoping for it. "We're waiting for the police, though, because we consider him dangerous and we're not moving him until we have some better restraints on him, like handcuffs."

Jason would have replied, but the local authorities showed up and began taking statements from everyone. A policeman went with the doctors and Lucky and the former mobster waited his turn to give his statement. When the inspector came to him, he gave every detail that he could remember, repeated words that Lucky had said, and even filled the man in on the background information between Lucky, Elizabeth and even himself. It rankled slightly to be so cooperative with the police, but Jason wanted Lucky arrested.

What he really wanted was to put a bullet between the punk's eyes for what he'd done to Elizabeth, but he knew that wasn't an option right now. For now, he'd have to settle for the FBI working with the Australian authorities to make sure that Lucky was arrested and charged with assault, and if they were really lucky, the man would spend some time in a foreign prison. If he hadn't already been stripped of his badge before, he would be now, and then he'd go through life with the title of ex-con to bring down his smug superiority.

Jason would be looking forward to the poetic justice of it all, if he wasn't so worried about Elizabeth and wondering when he'd hear from Steven how she was doing.




Her head was pounding as she slowly gained consciousness and she almost regretted the fact that she was waking up because she did not want to have to deal with the throbbing at the base of her skull that echoed in time to her pulse and sent knives into her brain with each beat. She could tell she was in a hospital; scratchy sheets, tape on her arm bringing cool IV liquid into her vein, soft beep in the background of monitors. Her mouth felt dry and reflexively she licked her lips, regretting the small action as it sent pain shooting around her skull.

"Hey, hey, take it easy," a soft voice said.

"Hurt," was all she was able to reply.

"I'll call your doctor," the man told her while she breathed deeply through her nose and out through her mouth despite her want to simply pant through the pain. Who knew Lamaze exercises would come in handy even when she wasn't in labor?

The doctors soon arrived and the exam was absolutely excruciating as they checked her over now that she could tell them exactly how severe the pain was and where it was located. The only blessing from it was that she got a lovely injection of pain med directly into her IV and they closed the door behind them as they left. She had almost drifted back to sleep when she heard someone shift and she remembered the voice that was here when she first woke up.

Opening her eyes slightly she was surprised to see Jason sitting at the side of her bed and she frowned at him as she asked, "Jason? What are you doing here?"

"We...we came to Australia a-about Aiden," he said softly. "Do you remember?"

Closing her eyes she thought through the fog beginning to wrap around her brain and nodded. "That's right. You called while I was at the hospital arguing with Sarah and Lucky. We came here...saw Aiden...and then Lucky showed up."

"That's right," he confirmed.

"It's odd," she told him. "When I first woke up...I could remember having argued with Lucky and Sarah, but I thought it was back when I was found after being in the crypt. But then the room didn't look the same; there weren't all the flowers everyone sent. And you didn't look the same. So then I wondered it was after Jake had been born...but Sarah wasn't here during that...that was Sam hanging around. Then I wondered if it was after the carnival and I'd been hit instead of Jake...but then I remembered that you hardly spent any time with us after Jake was hit because Heaven forbid you actually spend time with your son when he was injured, but you could sure spend time with every other child in Port Charles."

"Elizabeth?"

She heard the confusion in his voice and when she opened her eyes she saw the questions in his. It was there...it was all there. Every moment in her life; the good, the bad, the ugly and the humiliating. It was there.

Her eyes widened before she closed them and let out a breath. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry?" Jason prompted when she didn't say anything more.

"Sorry for attacking you," she clarified. "That wasn't fair, but see...that's why I wanted you to tell me what happened between us so I could think about it and have it in my mind so I wouldn't get all bitter and spiteful when I remembered everything."

She heard him swallow and he asked, "You-you remembered? What do you remember?"

"Everything," Elizabeth said softly. "Everything. The time I fell off my bike and scraped my knee and the time I covered for Sarah and said that I broke the lamp because she promised to pay me her allowance for the next month. I remember...us and Lucky and..."

Her breath came out on a shudder and tears fell from her eyes. "My children. My Gram. Going to California. Sarah...Helena... Everything."

Jason took her hand and she held on, grateful to have an anchor - even if it was him - while everything swirled around her in total confusion. "It's okay," he told her. "I'm going to go get your doctors...and I'm going to go get Steven from Aiden's room. I-I think you could use him right now."

Part 26
Prompt - Don't give up what you want most, for what you want at the moment. ~Unknown

He'd dreaded this moment, even as much as he'd wanted it to happen. Jason had wanted Elizabeth to get her memories back, to be able to remember all aspects of her life. He'd wanted her to remember his sister Emily, his meeting her at Jake's and the motorcycle rides they'd shared together. He'd wanted her to remember the moments they'd had together, and the night they conceived Jake. And he had especially wanted her to remember her children. Their births, their first steps, and the happy, little moments she'd had with them each and every day.

With those good moments, though, he'd known that there would be unpleasant memories that would come. Emily's death, the time they thought Lucky died at Jason's garage, and more than their share of bad moments between the former lovers and parents who weren't together. He'd wished he could give her back the pleasant memories and not make her have to relive the terror she'd felt that day in the park when Maureen had taken Jake, or the horror of the night when the Russians had broken into the cabin and taken their son.

However, he'd wanted her to remember her family, and so he'd prepared himself for the unhappy and unpleasant memories she'd also recover. Because he knew that she was going to be angry when she fully remembered how he'd walked away from her at the courthouse and the possibility of a life together and then ended back in a relationship with Sam. The woman who had watched their son get kidnapped the first time and did nothing to stop a mentally unbalanced woman from taking the infant. The person who taunted Elizabeth, hated her, was bitter and vengeful and vindictive towards the woman he loved, and their children, and then he began making a life with her.

When he'd left her room to go get the doctor and Steven it was because he believed it would be best. The doctors needed to know that her memories had returned, and she would undoubtedly be more comfortable with her brother than with the man who had broken her heart. Perhaps it was cowardly of him, but he could never bear to put Elizabeth in pain and he'd seen the hurt, and the anger, in her eyes as she'd spat bitter words at him and let him know exactly how she felt, before almost turning around immediately and apologizing. He had a feeling her first reaction was her true reaction and she was merely being polite as she used to be when she apologized afterwards.

While he was acting noble and generous by sitting with Aiden to allow brother and sister their time together, he knew it was an excuse. He was avoiding Elizabeth because there was a part of him that wasn't prepared to face her anger yet. In the weeks they had spent together since she'd been found, he'd enjoyed his time with her. It hadn't been free of awkwardness at times, and there was always an undercurrent of questions that really had no answers yet, but he'd basked in those moments when they were together and she told him that he was one of the few people that she felt like she could relax around and be herself. That she appreciated that he didn't judge her or expect her to be something she wasn't.

He was afraid that would be gone now, and he was unprepared for how much that thought hurt. While it wasn't the first time Elizabeth Webber had been mad at him or had suddenly no longer been a part of his life, it still didn't mean it hurt any less. Elizabeth was always that beautiful ideal he wished he could have in his life, but knew that deep down he really didn't deserve her. She didn't deserve to have the danger and ugly elements he brought to her life. Though she would tell him that all she wanted was him, the man that he was and not his job, he'd never really been able to believe it. He always knew that she was too good for the kind of man he was.

The door opened behind him but he didn't look up. It could be a doctor for Aiden, or for one of the other babies in the room, or it could be someone to talk to him. He really didn't care, nor was he interested. He merely watched over Elizabeth's son, watching the slight rise and fall of little boy's chest as the machine helped him breathe. He felt a presence at his side and glanced over briefly as Steven sat down.

"She's not mad at you," he stated and Jason closed his eyes at the words. "She's confused. She remembers all the events and the emotions of before, but she also remembers everything that's happened since she's been found. She remembers all the insight she had looking at everything in her life, looking at the people around her, and she remembers all you've done to help her and the boys and what the two of you talked about."

The other man leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. "So she's asked me to tell you that while she's a little confused, she isn't mad at you. And she would like to talk to you. She appreciates you watching over Aiden, but she...she would really like if you came to her room."

Turning to look at Jason, Steven said, "Honestly, I would appreciate if you listened to her. She is...determined to talk to you, and I think she might just follow through on her threat to get out of bed and track you down so she can make you understand."

Swallowing thickly, the uncertain man looked away. Elizabeth's brother sighed and said, "It's frightening, isn't it? The knowledge that she remembers everything. The good things we did together with her, and the times we hurt her."

Looking over at the doctor in question, Steven shrugged and said, "I made plenty of mistakes with my sister. I hurt her, too. Not deliberately and not with the intention to be cruel, but I hurt her just the same. There were years I didn't contact her because I was too busy to deal with a teenage girl. And then when she got older, well, I didn't know her and she had her life and I had mine and I was getting my career established and I remembered the sometimes bratty girl my parents would complain about and I didn't really know her. I hurt her with my indifference towards her, and I know I didn't help the feelings of abandonment she's developed since she was a child and our parents left her with the neighbors and took off out of the country and never came back for anything that happened in her life. She's always expecting everyone in her life to leave her...and we've certainly proved her right."

Jason wondered how this was supposed to make him feel better. He had left Elizabeth plenty of times, both when he left Port Charles and even when they were living in the same town.

"So I know that you're probably thinking that you should stay away from her, not upset her or not make her angry, but listen..." The doctor shrugged and said, "She's asked to see you. Respect her enough to allow her to make that choice."

"I've always wondered why she's chosen to have me in her life," he found himself confessing with an honesty he hadn't meant to divulge. Maybe it was hearing how someone else, someone in her family had hurt her as well, that prompted his admission.

"Honestly?" the older brother asked with a shrug, "I've wondered the same thing. But this isn't my life, it's Elizabeth's. And she's made her choices, and she's seen something in you that she hasn't rejected. So she's asking to see you, and I think you owe it to her to agree."

With a nod, the anxious man stood and said, "I do. I owe her a lot more than that."

"Start with meeting her," Steven suggested. "Then just go from there."




She knew it was going to be hard for Jason to come see her. While there were definitely times in her life that she couldn't even begin to figure out what her ex-lover was thinking or why he did certain things, she did know certain things about him. After their conversations during the past few weeks about the choices they'd made regarding their lives, she was pretty sure it was going to be hard for him to walk into the room knowing she had her memories back. He undoubtedly expected her to be angry, icy, and judgmental and lash out at him...like she'd done so many times in the past.

As the minutes stretched since Steven left, she began to wonder if her brother would be able to convince her child's father to come see her. She had the perfect view of the clock in her room and she watched as first five, then ten and eventually fifteen minutes passed. If Jason was going to come, he should have done it by now. The hospital wasn't that big, Aiden's room wasn't that far away. She'd told Steven not to butt his nose into her business and try to lecture Jason or anything like that, just pass along her message and stay with Aiden, so Jason shouldn't have been delayed by her brother.

As the minute hand crept steadily closer to twenty minutes, Elizabeth was convinced that Jason wasn't going to come see her. Annoyed, but determined, she swept the covers back and sat up straighter, ignoring the pain that stabbed the base of her skull and the nausea that swept through her body. Swinging her legs over the side of the bed and taking a deep breath, she assessed the leads, wires and tubes attached to her and decided which ones she needed to unplug so she could travel. Sure, it would probably bring the nurses in before she could fully manage to get to the door, but she was not going to let them sweep her back to bed. She was going search this entire hospital if she had to and find Jason.

When the door opened after she'd attached the blood pressure cuff and heart monitor wires, she didn't look up. She was not going to stop her current actions.

"What are you doing?"

The voice caused her to snap her head up and she instantly regretted it as black spots danced before her eyes. Jason was across the room before she could even register it, taking a hold of her arms to steady her. "Are you okay?"

"Just moved too quickly," she tried to assure him, but her voice sounded weak to her ears.

"You shouldn't be moving at all," he chided her, easing her back against the bed and then lifting her legs. "What are you doing?"

"I was going to come look for you," she answered him honestly. "I was afraid you weren't coming."

He sighed heavily as he grabbed a stool and brought it over by the bed. "I...I'm sorry."

"Don't be," she said, stopping herself just in time from shaking her head. "I can't even imagine how hard it must be for you to come in here. Even though I didn't yell at you when I had amnesia and blamed myself plenty for the choices I made, and we made about Jake, you're probably expecting me to be angry now that I remember everything."

"Yeah," he breathed out slowly.

"I admit," she confessed. "When it all came flooding back, there was a part of me that was mad. And then I remembered our talks and your honesty with me and my assessment of myself and I realized...it's still there. Yeah, it's a little hard...uncomfortable...whatever you want to say, to look at you and remember you went back to Sam of all people after we broke up; to have seen you around town with her, being with her and everybody else and wondering if you ever thought about Jake or me at all."

"I'm sorry," he said, his eyes closing in heavy regret.

"Jason," she said, and waited until he looked at her. "Don't. Because I remembered your explanation and the things you told me since I was found. And I remember what I did, and the talks I'd been having with my doctor before I left, and the assessment I'd made of my choices and actions once I left Colorado and learned about my life. I still don't like what I did. I don't like how desperate I was, or how weak, and I especially don't like the bad decisions I made. But you knew all that and you didn't blame me for not keeping Jake safe and giving him a happy life like I promised you I would. So how can I get upset and blame you for something you've already explained to me?"

She closed her eyes briefly and licked her lips when she looked at him once again. "I...I don't want to go back to being that person I was before. Scared, uncertain, so desperate for certain things in my life that I let people use me, or dismiss me or treat me badly. I don't want to be someone who's judgmental or keeps a grudge. It's all...it's all too much to sustain."

Reaching for his hand he looked startled by the action, and then slowly moved it into her grasp. Looking at him earnestly she said, "I have been so grateful to you these past few weeks. For your unrelenting search for Aiden and Jake. For your kindness towards me. For you being someone I could talk to when I felt frustrated, or scared...or wondered if I would be stuck forever with just vague memories and feelings. You have been the friend to me that you were back when we first met. I want to be the same kind of friend as well.

"I know that things are different," she acknowledged. "There are things in our history and past that make it impossible to pretend we're those same people who sat one night in Jakes over ten years ago feeling lost and alone. But I want you as my friend, Jason. I've decided that maybe I get to be selfish, or speak up about my life and not just do what other people want, and I want you in it. I want you as my friend; I want you to be a father to Jake when we find him, because I believe that we will. I want to look at you and remember the good we shared together and hope that we can continue to share it again."

"I-I want that, too," he told her, giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

She closed her eyes in relief, grateful that he was here and seemed to believe her. While there was some anger there when she thought of him and Sam, she was not going to give into it or fan it into a fire. She wanted to move forward...to whatever the future might bring.

Part 27
Prompt - you stumble, make it part of the dance. ~Unknown

Jason may have left the mob, but the mob did not entirely leave Jason. Even though he and Sonny had severed their business partnership, and it seemed their friendship as well, Jason still had connections to his past. There were men that he had met, that he had worked with, that he had stood up to, and beside, and if he didn't entirely trust them, he at least respected them enough to know they would still honor their promises to him. They were men that he had quietly reached out when he began searching for Jake and explained that even though he was working side by side with the FBI to find his son and his son's brother, they did not have to worry that he was going to say anything about their past dealings. And they were men who respected Jason enough to believe his word and promise their assistance in any way they could in regards to Jake and Aiden's kidnapping.

Now that Aiden had been found, Jason knew that he might have to call on these old acquaintances. He was going to respect Elizabeth enough to let the authorities deal with Helena in the beginning. He wasn't going to start tossing around threats of retribution immediately, but that didn't mean he wasn't thinking of it. It didn't mean that he wasn't making plans. He had let too many things go in the past and it had led to hurt, pain and suffering for too many people that he loved. Helena Cassadine was not going to escape unscathed from this latest mess.

Elizabeth was sleeping at the minute, so Jason felt comfortable making this walk down the hospital corridor. The local authorities and the FBI had cordoned off the end of the floor where Helena was being held; her associates that had been with her in the accident and a few others in Australia had been arrested, but they were always vigilant for others that might try to reach her to do her bidding. However, the queen had been brought down, and her once loyal minions had fled, fearing retribution from Prince Nikolas. The Cassadine prince had arrived early this morning after being informed by the FBI that his grandmother had been captured and Aiden had been found. Jason had watched as Steven told him that Helena had altered the paternity results and Nikolas wasn't Aiden's father. The Australian doctor showed him the test results that they had run, and the man had been devastated, but then pulled himself together enough to accept the latest scheme in his grandmother's duplicity and deal with the aftermath.

Now that he'd had some time to process the situation, Jason intended to talk to him. To see what the great prince intended to do regarding Helena. The man had been too ineffectual regarding his grandmother before when she had terrorized Emily, and even though Elizabeth had spoken to him regarding her children's abduction and the order to kill her and Cameron, Nikolas had not been nearly as outraged as Jason thought he should have been. He had ordered a search for Aiden, but he already appeared defeated, thinking he could not fight his grandmother. He had already given up and accepted that they would never find Aiden. Perhaps that was why Jason had succeeded where he had failed; he had refused to buy into the mystique surrounding Helena Cassadine and was not going to let anyone stand in his way of seeking retribution and finding justice for Elizabeth and her children.

"I'm sorry, sir," a local cop stepped in front of him as he neared the corridor. "This is a restricted area of the hospital."

"I'm not here to see Helena," he shook his head, keeping his arms at his side to show he was not a threat. "I want to speak to Nikolas Cassadine."

An FBI agent that had traveled with them to Australia nodded his head and moved towards the patient's room, opening the door and speaking softly, "Mr. Cassadine, Mr. Morgan would like to talk to you."

Jason stepped away, and then exercised all the patience he could find to not appear agitated as he waited for the younger man to finally show up. When Nikolas stepped out of his grandmother's room he appeared tired, but looked at Jason warily as he approached.

"What do you want, Jason?" he asked curiously, yet there was also a note of trepidation in his voice.

"I wanted to talk to you," he stated clearly. He was not going to be put off by the man, and hoped he conveyed that.

"Fine," Nikolas sighed and turned, motioning for the former enforcer to follow him. They walked past the authorities and entered an empty room several doors down and across from the one Helena was behind. Once they were alone, he turned, folding his arms over his chest and asked, "What do you want?"

"I wanted to talk to you about your grandmother," he answered bluntly. "I know that you're dealing with all that you found out today and I...I'm sorry about Aiden...but there are things you need to know."

"That you intend to kill my grandmother?" the younger man asked, lifting his brow.

Jason growled as he stepped closer to the man. "You and I both know that she deserves to die. For the times she tormented Emily and you did nothing to rein her in, but especially for now. She kidnapped a child, she let Jake be taken by a psychotic murderer and she ordered the deaths of Elizabeth and Cameron. Why aren't you outraged over that? You thought she had your son. Why weren't you out there doing everything in your power to find him? Did you not care about him like you can hardly be bothered to care about Spencer? Were you too afraid to go after your grandmother? Or were you in on the whole thing with her?"

Nikolas pushed at him and spat out, "I wasn't involved! I was worried about Aiden...terrified. And I'm sorry Jake's missing. And of course I'm upset about what nearly happened to Cameron and Elizabeth."

"Yet it was my men who discovered your grandmother," the former enforcer pointed out angrily. "It makes me wonder what you were really doing."

"I was searching for my son," the prince insisted.

"So you say," he said with a shrug. "But you also claimed you loved my sister and then you couldn't stand by her as she was adjusting to the fact that she was raped by a man who looked just like you. You ran off and had an affair with Courtney. So you'll forgive me if I don't just take your word for it."

"And why should I take your word that you won't kill my grandmother?" Nikolas taunted him. "You lie, cheat and kill...hardly a model of honesty."

"I won't kill your grandmother because Elizabeth doesn't want me to," he countered, his voice low in his throat. "Something you would know if you had gone to see Elizabeth. Funny how you can't be bothered to go see your friend now that you know Aiden isn't your son. You and your brother are exactly alike. You only want Elizabeth when you think she can give you something. How many times did you go after her and make a play for her when you thought Lucky was dead?"

The other man swung his fist, but Jason was able to block it easily. "You're a fine one to talk," Nikolas sneered. "You were taking advantage of her and she was still a teenager. Lucky died in your shop and you were sleeping with her in her studio."

"We both know that it was your grandmother who did all that," he countered. "Your grandmother who has gotten away with things for years because you're too weak to stop her. You can't stand up to her, you can't control her and sometimes I wonder if you even want to."

"My grandmother has overstepped many times," the younger man snapped back angrily. "I know she's done many vile things. It's just that she's my grandmother and I can't harm her."

Jason nodded his head in understanding, knowing that the thought of going after a family member would be hard. "That may be," he countered. "But you've interfered plenty of times when people have tried to stop her. So don't think you're innocent in all this. You've never stood up to her because you think it's impossible, or you don't want to become like the rest of your family or whatever excuse you tell yourself at night. The fact is, Helena is responsible for this mess. Helena is responsible for Elizabeth and Cameron nearly dying, for Jake being missing and for Aiden being in the hospital."

The man across from him seemed to deflate, shrinking with sorrow and regret. Letting out a weary sigh he said, "I know. I...I am very sorry for all that she did. And I know I should see Elizabeth...I just don't know what to say."

Then he licked his lips and asked, "How is Aiden?"

"Not good," Jason answered with a shake of his head. "The accident...the injuries...there hasn't been any improvement since we've arrived. In fact, I think he's getting worse. There was internal bleeding and they're not sure they fixed it all. He..."

Swallowing thickly, he continued, "He's so little, and it's such a strain on his body that they don't want to take him back to surgery unless they have to. But his vitals aren't really improving; they're getting very worried."

"It's going to devastate Elizabeth if he doesn't make it," the younger man said leadenly. "She's been through so much. To get him back and then lose him..."

"It's going to be hard," the former enforcer admitted. "And I really hope that he makes it, but she's been preparing herself since she walked into this hospital. She's got her memories back; she can understand what the doctors are telling her and what they aren't because she sees him. It's going to be hard, but it won't devastate her because she has too many people around her who won't let it. People who will be there for her to help her."

"I'm sure you'll love being one of those people," the prince sneered, his lip curling up in disgust. "You left her and devastated her, Jason. You took up with Sam and ignored Elizabeth and your child, but here you are...at her side acting like her hero once again. Do you think she'll forgive you for what you did, or do you ever think that maybe she's just using you to help find her son? If she was smart, she'd kick you out of her life."

With a huff, Jason shook his head in disgust. "I don't know if you're upset about Aiden, or if this is just the fact that we don't get along, but this is your problem, Cassadine. You think you have the right to tell Elizabeth who she should be with and who she shouldn't be with. What does it matter to you if I'm in Elizabeth's life or not?"

"You aren't good for her," the other man insisted.

"And you were?" he questioned, lifting his brow with a shake of his head. "You wanted her for years, didn't you? Back when you thought Lucky was dead, you tried to date her. So when Elizabeth and I broke up, and you knew she didn't really want to be with Lucky, you thought this was your chance. The kind friend who becomes more."

"Worked for you, didn't it?" Nikolas sneered.

"I never calculated anything with Elizabeth," he shook his head. "Even the night Jake was conceived. I had seen Sam with Ric, Elizabeth found Lucky with Maxie again...we had been friends for years. Almost as long as you've been friends with her. We didn't set out with the intention to sleep together, but I will never regret that it happened. I just should have done more to keep her in my life."

Jason stopped and shook his head again. "No. I'm not going to explain my relationship with Elizabeth to you. Because it doesn't concern you. It's between us. And we've talked about what happened in the past, and what we should have done, but didn't, and how we can't change it but can only go forward. And whatever happens now is only between the two of us. It has nothing to do you, or anybody else who thinks they have a right to tell Elizabeth what to do."

"You want her," the other man declared. "You've always wanted her and have always messed up her life. Find Jake and then stay away from her."

"So that you can come in and comfort her?" he asked mockingly. "You don't get it, Cassadine, do you? It's not any of your business what happens to Elizabeth now."

He stepped back and said, "I just came to tell you not to interfere with your grandmother. Don't try to stop her punishment simply because it wouldn't do to have the Cassadine name dragged through a trial. She's going to be extradited to the United States and face charges for kidnapping and attempted murder. She's going to pay for what she did to Elizabeth and her boys."

Planting his hands on his hips, Nikolas challenged, "And are you going to make sure that happens?"

Crossing his arms over his chest, he stepped forward and leaned menacingly towards the younger man who probably thought he could stop Jason simply because he was royalty. "Yes," he answered. "I will. I've stepped back too many times and let people get away with things, and it ends. Helena is going to pay for what she's done. And if you get in the way, then you'll go down, too. Elizabeth and her children deserve justice for what happened to them, don't you agree? That means your grandmother will be tried, she will go to prison and she will remain there."

And anything that might happen in prison...well, Jason wasn't going to make any threats. There would be suspicions, but there would be nothing that could be proven. Helena would never live past her first month in prison. She would never live to escape to terrorize anyone again. He had learned from his mistakes; he was done not doing all that he could to protect his family. Helena had done too much, and she was not going to do anything else, ever again.

Just like Lucky was never going to hurt Elizabeth or her children again. The former cop was going to face charges in Australia for assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and while Jason didn't have any real contacts in the country, he knew people who did. Lucky was going to go to prison, and his life would be anything but pleasant there. Jason wasn't going to arrange the man's death, but the younger man was not going to find any friends in prison. He was not going to be able to arrange protection from anybody. He was going to pay for the years of abuse he'd dealt Elizabeth, for the way he'd treated her and her children, and if the people in prison went too far and Lucky never made it back to the United States except in a pine box...then Jason wasn't going to bat an eye.

This time, he was going to keep his promises to Elizabeth, even if she'd never heard him speak them. Nobody was going to get away with what they'd done to her. Nobody.

Part 28
Prompt - A bend in the road is not the end of the road... unless you fail to make the turn. ~ Author Unknown

She knew her brother was worried about her. Not just because of the head injury she'd sustained two days ago that had knocked her out and left her with a considerable knot still at the base of her skull, but he was worried about how she was, or wasn't, facing the situation with Aiden. Every time he came into her son's room, he looked at the charts, looked at the monitors and looked at the little boy, as if somehow his examination of his nephew would produce a different diagnosis than what the other doctors had already arrived at. Then he would shake his head sadly as he realized the sad truth looming before them, and then he would glance at her uneasily as if he didn't know how to broach the subject or couldn't find the words to make her understand. However, she understood, and knew that today was the day they would have to act.

Not looking up from gazing at her son's face, trying to memorize the delicate, little features and ignore the breathing tube that snaked up his nose and was taped across his cheek, Elizabeth asked her brother, "Have the final test results come in?"

Steven started at her voice, normally she didn't speak when the doctors came into the room, and then sighed heavily. "Yeah."

They had done preliminary tests regarding Aiden and Lucas, and when they seemed promising, they continued on with the further, detailed ones to find out if the little boy could be a potential donor to his half-brother. Touching the little boy's hand and smiling wistfully at the way his fist curled around her fingertip, she asked, "And?"

"He's a match," her brother informed her. "He could donate bone marrow to Lucas."

"But it would have to be soon, wouldn't it?" she further clarified. "He's not going to survive much longer. He's not getting better, despite all the doctors are doing. He's getting weaker. The injuries are too much, he's still bleeding and he can't survive another surgery; the swelling in his brain isn't going down, it's creating too much strain on the rest of his body and pretty soon he's going to go into arrest or have a stroke."

"Yes," he confirmed, placing his hand on her shoulder and squeezing it.

"Then we need to transport him back to Port Charles," the young mother said. "He needs to be closer for the operation. The bone marrow needs to be fresh, not nearly a day old. It will be Lucas' best hope."

Steven sat down beside her and took her hand. "You would do that? You would do that for Lucas?"

"He isn't to blame for what happened," she answered, looking over at her brother. "And he's suffered enough, don't you think? We've sat here hoping for a miracle, instead of accepting that the miracle is we found him. We found him and I remember him and I...I will always love him. And I will mourn him and I will...I will hate Helena for the time I lost with him, but I can't hold onto him forever. If I keep him with me too long, he won't be able to help Lucas. We need to go back to Port Charles while he's still strong enough to make the trip."

"Jason and Nikolas have both offered to arrange for a private jet," he told her. "And the necessary medical equipment we'll need for the trip."

Elizabeth paused for a moment and then said, "I'll talk to Jason. I...maybe it's being petty, but frankly, I'd rather not have Nikolas make the arrangements. Maybe he's offering to do it because he thought Aiden was his son, or maybe it's atonement for Helena...but...but I'd rather that Jason made the arrangements."

"I understand," he replied, and she was grateful he didn't fight her. Maybe he sensed the underlying anger in the man she'd once believed was the father of her youngest son, or saw the calculating look in his eye; whatever the reason, she really wanted to minimize her interaction with Nikolas.

Swallowing wearily and closing her eyes, she concentrated on the feeling of Aiden's fist around her finger. The skin was dry from the cold, sterile hospital air, but there was still a remnant of that soft baby skin. If she tried hard enough, she could almost pretend he was lying in his crib at home instead of a hospital room.

Then she opened her eyes and firmed her shoulders and looked at her brother. "Will you sit with him? Can you talk to the doctors about arranging for him to go home?"

"I will," he promised her. Then he asked, "What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to talk to Jason," she answered. "And then...and then I'm going to talk to Lucky."

"Do you think that's wise?" Steven asked, his eyebrows lifting towards his hair. His tone clearly conveyed that he didn't think she should do it. "You're still recovering; you don't need a fight with Lucky."

"Yes, I think it's wise," she replied, trying to keep the defensiveness out of her voice. She knew he was just concerned about her, but it felt like so many times in the past when people had questioned her decisions and tried to get her to do what they wanted and ignored her choices. "I need to end this, Steven. I intend to leave Australia and Lucky behind. I've got too many other things to worry about, and I just want this over with."

His face softened slightly and he shook his head. "I never really thought I'd hear the day that you declared yourself done with Lucky Spencer. There were times I hoped I'd hear it, especially when he was going around blackening your name all over town, but..."

Her brother let out a low whistle and said, "I'm glad to hear you taking charge of your life, Elizabeth. And if you feel the need to do this, then do it. Just...do me a favor."

"What?"

"Take Jason with you," he said, surprising her with the answer. "Don't take him in the room, but...take him with you. I know Lucky's handcuffed to his hospital bed, but I'd still feel better knowing someone's out there looking out for you. And after you confront Lucky, you may need a friend."

"You know, Steven," Elizabeth said with a laugh, "you surprise me sometimes. That really was the last thing I ever expected you to say."

"Well," he shrugged. "I'm trying to take a page out of your book and forgive him and look past what happened between you. However, I will say this...if he ever hurts you again, I may just disregard the Hippocratic Oath."

"Thank you," she told him as she stood and then bent to place a kiss on his cheek. "You really have become more than just a great big brother; you're a good friend."

Then she turned and looked down at Aiden. Stroking her thumb over the back of the little boy's hand, she then bent down and placed a kiss on his head, being careful not to disturb any of the tubes or leads. Looking at Steven she said, "Take care of him."

"I will, Elizabeth," he promised her, reaching out to take her hand and give it a squeeze. "And you take care of yourself."

She straightened her shoulders and looked at him with resolve in her eyes and said, "Oh, I will."

Then she walked across the room and smiled when she saw Jason standing in the hallway, his hands tucked into the pockets of his jeans and ignoring the hospital personnel that moved around him. It was as if he was standing sentinel, and he probably was because she was in the room. He straightened when he saw her stepping out, his face immediately softening with concern and caring. With a small smile, she waited for a nurse to pass and then walked over to him.

"Hey," she said. "I'm glad to see you."

"I'm glad to see you, too," he told her. Then his brows drew together and he asked, "How's Aiden doing?"

Swallowing and looking away briefly she answered, "Not good. I...I told Steven to talk to the doctors about transporting him back to Port Charles."

Then looking at him she said, "And I wanted to ask you...if you would arrange a flight home for us. I-I know you offered and I wondered if you still-"

"Yes," he replied, cutting her off. "I will do anything to help you, Elizabeth."

"I know," she nodded slightly. "Nikolas offered...but I'd rather...I'd rather you took care of it."

"I'll do it immediately," he assured her, putting his hand back into his pocket to reach for his phone.

"Actually," she stopped him, placing her hand on his arm to stop him. "Could you do something else for me first?"

"Of course," he answered, his motions ceasing as he focused solely on her once again. "What do you need?"

"To come with me and stand outside the door while I talk to Lucky," she replied. "I..."

A sigh escaped and she continued, "He is Aiden's father and I feel like I should tell him. And then it's done and behind me and I can focus on being with Aiden for however much longer he has, and taking care of that, and focus on finding Jake and being with Cam and...and Lucky can be where he finally belongs. In my past."

"I-I told you, Elizabeth," he said, the words coming slowly out of his mouth as if he couldn't exactly find the ones to say. Maybe she'd surprised him, maybe he was skeptical because of all the other times she'd claimed she was done with Lucky and then went back to him. Whatever it was, he looked down at her, then reached for her hand and gently guided her to start walking. "Whatever you need me to do, I will."

She brought her free hand over to rest on the arm beside her and closed her eyes gratefully. "Thank you, Jason; I am so glad to have you here with me."




Elizabeth pushed open the door to Lucky's room, after finally getting clearance from the authorities outside to speak to him. It was helpful to claim that she needed to talk to him about their son because she wasn't sure she would have been allowed in here otherwise. It felt wrong to use that connection, especially when she didn't want it in the first place, but she knew that she needed to face this and just get it over with. It was time to end the specter of Lucky Spencer hanging over her head, even though she knew he was going to fight her.

He slowly opened his eyes, and they instantly narrowed into suspicion and even anger as he saw her. Struggling to sit up and clanging the handcuffs against the bed, he demanded through his heavily bruised jaw, "What do you want? Come to gloat over the fact that Jason nearly broke my jaw?"

"I came to talk to you about Aiden," she said, keeping her voice even and not even acknowledging his remarks. "You have a right to be informed about his condition and my plans."

"Your plans," her ex-husband sneered. "You kept my son from me. I've told the lawyer that's come to talk to me that I want to petition for immediate custody. I don't want you anywhere near my child."

Elizabeth lifted her brow and remarked, "Very interesting, Lucky. You don't want me near your child, but you didn't seem to want Lucas because Sarah was his mother. Regardless of what you think, I didn't know that Aiden was yours. That was Helena's plan all along. You remember Helena, don't you? Your family's enemy? The woman who faked your death and kept you from your family for a year and brainwashed you. The woman who tried to kidnap Nikolas' child so that she could raise him up properly. The woman who ordered me and my son killed simply because she had no use for us in her grand plan. Don't sit there all smug and act like you're the wronged party here."

Shaking her head she scoffed, "But that's what you're good at, aren't you? You went around accusing me of having an affair with Patrick Drake while you were sleeping with Maxie in exchange for drugs. You went around telling everyone in town what an awful whore I was because I slept with your brother all the while knowing that you had slept with my sister and had a child with her that you refused to acknowledge. You aren't some pristine saint here, and I never claimed to be one. So don't expect me to buy into your pity party or fall down at your feet begging for your forgiveness."

Taking a breath to calm down hoping to ease the throbbing that was still in her head, she crossed her arms over her chest as she continued, "I came here to tell you that...that unfortunately, Aiden isn't getting better. His blood pressure continues to drop which makes the doctors think he has internal bleeding still, but he's not strong enough to have another surgery. His heart could give out; he could have a stroke from the pressure still in his head due to his injuries."

She paused as the cold, hard reality of what she was about to say next settled over her. In a wavering voice she went on, "The odds are against him and the chances of him recovering are diminishing every day. My...our son is going to die, Lucky. I...I...I wish it was different, but it's not. I'm a nurse; I can read his chart, I can read his vitals, I know what the doctors are saying. The trauma is too great for him to survive."

"No," the man on the bed shook his head. "No."

"However," she forced herself to go on. "There is something good that can come from this. Aiden is a match to Lucas. He...he can donate bone marrow that will...hopefully, help Lucas get better. So...so we're going to take Aiden back to Port Charles. That way he'll be closer when he...when the time comes."

"No," Lucky said again, his voice louder. "No. You can't take my son from me. I just found him and now you're taking him away."

"I just found him, too," she countered. "And I'm doing what's right. Lucas is innocent in all this and...and he doesn't deserve to suffer."

She blinked rapidly to keep her tears from falling and said, "It's...it's a way for Aiden's life to mean something. Death won't be the end. We...we can't change what's happened, Lucky. And trying to place blame or cast stones doesn't do any good. Nothing is going to change the past. Helena did what she did, and...and Aiden...Aiden is going to die."

"No," he repeated. "No. You can't leave. I won't let you. I insist on going with you. I want to be with him at the end."

"You'll have to talk to the authorities," Elizabeth told him, "but we are going. I'm his mother. I have his birth certificate, his medical records. The hospital did a DNA test on us. He's my son and I...I'm going to make his life mean something. You can try to stop us, Lucky...but think about Lucas. Think about that little boy that you ignored for years, that you claimed wasn't yours simply because you didn't want him to be yours. Doesn't he deserve a chance to live? Or do you not care because he's Sarah's? If you try to get an injunction and stop us from leaving, I will go before a judge and tell him everything. You stealing drugs from the police evidence room, your drug use, your multiple affairs, your abuse...and let's not forget your assault that's landed you handcuffed to that hospital bed. What judge in the world do you really think is going to stop me from taking my son and saving another child?"

He was silent and she nodded her head. "That's right. So I came to tell you what's going to happen. And I also came to tell you good-bye. When I walk through that door, I am never looking back. I am done with you, Lucky Spencer. The permanent lock is broke, my debt to you is paid, and the next, and last, time I see you will be when I sit on a witness stand and tell a judge what you did to me. So beg the cops to let you say good-bye to Aiden if you want...but don't think I am ever going to see you as anything but the deadbeat father who abandoned his son simply for having the wrong mother and the man who abused me for years. I'm done being your victim and wounded dove; I will never go back to that again."

She stepped back and said, "Good-bye, Lucky."

Then she turned for the door and stepped into Jason's waiting arms as she left her past behind.

Part 29
Prompt - Don't Stop Believing

"I mean it, Elizabeth, you need to get out of here for a little while," Steven told her firmly. "You need to get some fresh air. You need to spend some time with Cameron."

"I do spend time with Cameron," she insisted, tears springing to her eyes as they did frequently lately. She still felt guilty over her time away from him in Australia, and now that they were home...she was spending so much of her time here.

Immediately her brother was apologetic. "I know, I know. It's just...Elizabeth, you can't spend all your time here."

"That's my son in there," she countered, pointing at the room behind him. "He...he isn't dead, but he..."

They were waiting for him to die, and it was horrible. They'd only been home for two days from Australia and they knew he wouldn't be with them much longer and she was worried about her son, she was worried about Lucas, she wondered if she should do...more than she was doing, if she was being selfish. And it felt sick and macabre sitting by his crib waiting for the inevitable, wondering if she should be stronger and simply make the decision to end his life instead of waiting; wondering what was best. She went home every night, talked with Cameron, did her best to assure him of her love, of his safety, of life and fairness when she wasn't sure about it herself. James and Lottie and Jason and Steven were all with her, with them, doing their best to help, but...they were all living in this strange limbo. It was exhausting; mentally, physically, emotionally she was pulled thin and taut. And now Steven was telling her to leave the hospital. To walk away from her baby.

"Come on," Jason said softly at her side, brushing his hand over hers. "James and Lottie said they would bring Cameron to the park. He needs to run around, and you need to be outside during the day. You can come back to Aiden tonight. Steven will be with him, he'll call if anything happens and we'll be at the park so we'll be close. We'll get back here if we need to. But you and Cameron need this time together."

She knew they were right, she knew they were just doing this because they cared about her and Cameron, and yet it was so hard to make her feet work. To walk away from where her son lay. But Jason put his arm gently around her, turned her and propelled her forward. He held her silently as tears quietly trickled down her face when the elevator doors closed and they could no longer see Steven, and she was grateful for his presence at her side. He hadn't left her since she'd walked into his arms back in Australia. He'd sat with her on the airplane and held her hand while she sat beside Aiden; he slept downstairs on her couch at night and went with her in the morning to the hospital. He was this amazing pillar of strength who was there whenever she looked up, and knew what she needed before she could even ask for it.

"Thank you," she said softly, breaking the silence that had enveloped them. "I don't know what I would do without you right now."

"You would survive," he told her assuredly. "You always do. You are so strong, Elizabeth."

"Not always," she shook her head. "I ended up in Shadybrooke last year. I didn't feel very strong then."

"Maybe not," he agreed as they left the elevator and headed to the truck. "But you got better, and you were there once again for your children. You are strong, Elizabeth. Stronger than anybody gives you credit for. And sometimes that includes both of us."

As they reached the vehicle, he stopped and turned towards her. He looked down at her with such seriousness that she couldn't tear her gaze away. Very solemnly he vowed, "But you don't have to be alone this time. I am not going to leave you. I am not going to leave you to shoulder this all on your own. I know that you could, but you don't have to. You won't have to. I've made that mistake too many times in the past, thinking that I couldn't be at your side because it would give us away. I'm done doing that, Elizabeth. You have stood by me so many times, you have helped me and been strong for me when I couldn't...and I didn't always do the same."

"Yes, you did," she told him. "When Jake was kidnapped the first time...you were there for me. Your belief in me, your strength...it helped me so much. I was able to get through the day because I knew that you believed I hadn't done anything to him. You believed we'd find Jake again. I could be with Cameron and take care of him because I could tell myself Jason believes in me. You don't know what that did for me."

He pulled her to him, his arms coming up around her to hold her tightly. She could feel and hear him swallow thickly and his voice was husky as he said, "Thank you. I hated that I was in jail and couldn't do more. It's why I didn't care if I violated my parole when I went and got him. I would have done anything for you and our children."

Her hands smoothed over the strong planes of his back and she leaned her head against his chest. "Just like you're doing now. I know Sonny's trying to cause problems for you."

"You don't need to worry about that," Jason told her, shaking his head slightly.

Pushing back from him, her eyes narrowed in anger and she said, "Yes, I do, Jason. When are you going to understand that I worry about you? That I care about you? I never wanted to hear the nitty-gritty details of your activities, I never wanted to pick up a gun and rush off into a gunfight with you, but I always cared about you. When things were tense, when there were problems, when there was the potential for danger and especially that you might get hurt or get into trouble...I always worried about you."

Walking away from him and tunneling her fingers through her hair in frustration she said, "I know that you were probably just trying to protect me. Not give me details so that the cops couldn't ask me questions or put me into danger with one of your enemies, but do you know how it would make me feel? I felt like you didn't trust me, or you thought I was too stupid to understand...or of course Sam or Carly could know all about your business, even when we were together, but poor, stupid Elizabeth was left in the dark like a fool. So don't tell me I don't need to worry about what Sonny's doing."

She whirled around, pointing her finger at him and declared, "I am going to worry, Jason. I will always worry about you. You are the father of my son. You are the man that I have known and loved for years. You are my friend. I don't want to see you hurt or in danger or arrested and sent off to jail. It makes me feel marginalized and trivialized when you pat me on the head and tell me I don't need to worry about it. I know that you're smart and you're capable, but you can't control everything. I would watch you walk out the door and I would worry. I couldn't help it. All I ever wished for, all I ever prayed for was that every time you left that you would return safely. And when you did get hurt and I had to act like I hardly knew you or people were telling me to leave you alone...it killed me."

"I-I'm sorry," he said, his voice low and his eyes red-rimmed. "I'm sorry. I never knew you felt that way."

"I didn't want you to worry about me, and think that I couldn't handle your life," she told him as her shoulders slumped. "But I always worried about you, I was always concerned about you. So I know that Sonny is doing things. I heard you and Francis talking when we came back. He...he was taking advantage of you being gone, wasn't he?"

"He was," he nodded. "He's not happy that I ended our partnership. I made him pay me for my shares, for my half of the business and he didn't have a lot of ready cash on hand because it was tied up in some business ventures. So he's cash strapped at the moment and people know that. I took some of the legitimate ventures and he's trying to get them back. They were the money generators and he thinks that if he steals them back I won't stop him, and then he'll have a cash flow to take care of his other dealings."

Swallowing, Jason stepped up to her and placed his hand on her shoulder. "I wasn't trying to dismiss you, or act like you're stupid, Elizabeth. When I said you didn't need to worry about it, it was because Francis and a couple of men handled things last night. The men Sonny sent to cause problems were arrested; they'll be traced back to Sonny. He's now going to face legal troubles."

Elizabeth closed her eyes in regret and said, "I'm sorry, Jason. I...I didn't mean to go off on you. I-I don't even know if I'm really angry. Sometimes I feel like there's a filter between my brain and my mouth that isn't fully engaged. If I'd just let you continue instead of jumping to conclusions and snapping at you..."

"Don't apologize," he shook his head, his thumb brushing over the seam of her shirt. "Don't. I...I did keep you in the dark many times. I would tell myself I was trying to protect you, that you didn't need to know the ugly details of my life...but there were things I could have said. There were things I could have trusted you with, to let you know that I valued you. So, actually, I'm glad you went off. We...we've held things back too much. Always cautious and never saying fully what we mean. You...you told me I did that, that I never gave you full answers or said exactly what I meant and it left you with a lot of confusion. And at the time, I didn't think I'd done that, but now I realize I did. I could have been a lot clearer, and I want to be from now on. You deserve that."

She blushed slightly, in embarrassment and endearment and managed to say, "Thank you. So...you took care of things with Sonny?"

"For now," he answered. "He'll be unhappy, and he may try something again, but we're prepared. Francis is taking care of things. Keeping me informed, but letting me focus on the important things."

The corner of his mouth turned up and he said, "And speaking of the important things, we need to meet Cameron. James and Lottie said they were going to bring him and we don't want him to worry if we're late."

Elizabeth felt her earlier tension ebb away and an answering smile of her own appeared. "No. I...I appreciate you and Steven doing this. It's hard for me...I feel torn. But you're right, I need to spend some time with Cameron where it's not just me putting him to bed."

Opening the truck door and looking at her expectantly he said, "Then let's go."




At some point, Elizabeth knew that she and Jason were going to have to have an actual discussion and figure out what they were doing. It wasn't because she felt the need to have a label on their relationship, but because they needed to decide where exactly they saw their relationship going. From the minute she walked out of Lucky's hospital room in Australia, they had nearly been inseparable. They sat together, they talked, and sometimes as they walked they just naturally fell into holding each other's hand.

She knew her relationship with Jason was at times indefinable. He had said it so well that winter he'd stayed in her studio, they were more than friends. It was hard to describe what they meant to each other, or what exactly they were, but they were friends. They had been friends for years; even when they'd had arguments and sometimes didn't speak to each other, they could easily slip right back into the closeness and ease they'd had together. They would always care for the other person; they would always be concerned and want the best for each other, and it wasn't just because they had a son.

As they walked through the park towards the swings where they were going to meet her son and friends, it seemed the most natural thing in the world for her hand to be twined with Jason's. And yet, it was the most surreal experience. When they had been dating after Jake was born, they had kept their relationship a secret. They had been in love, they shared a child, they had even briefly been engaged, but nobody knew that they were together. Everyone just thought they were casual friends, or former friends who had only slept together one night. They had never taken their relationship out into the light of day. But now, they were walking through the park hand in hand, and she didn't exactly know what that meant for them.

They had talked about their past, they had apologized for the times they hurt the other person, they used words like caring and loved, but didn't really define what they wanted. Did he still love her? Did she still love him? If he tried to kiss her would she let him, or would she feel awkward and unsure? She knew it was definitely too soon for anything beyond a kiss, and yet when he held her in his arms, it felt so absolutely right that she never wanted him to let go. She wanted it to last forever, but she also didn't want to have to label things.

She'd been fairly content to just let things happen. With all that was happening with Aiden and Jake still missing, it hadn't felt like the right time to have an in-depth discussion. Did they have to label things? Deep down, she knew how she felt about Jason. She loved him. She was in love with him. Getting to know him again, but without the memories and emotions of their past, had caused her to rely on her feelings and instincts. She knew he was important to her. She knew that he was someone she could rely on. She knew he was someone who would not hurt her deliberately. She knew that he was someone she wanted in her life, in whatever capacity she could have him.

Beyond that, she couldn't really stop and think and analyze. It felt good, it kept her grounded, and she felt happy to have him with her. Did she really have to go beyond that?

Maybe eventually. Maybe he was just as confused as she was sometimes, but happy with the present circumstances. She knew that Jason - this Jason who had ended things with Sam, severed his relationship with Sonny, and was focused completely on finding Jake now that they'd found Aiden - was not going to do anything that he didn't want to do. He wasn't saying he wanted to leave at night and she was begging him to stay. He had been the one, the first night after they returned, who said he didn't want to leave, but he wanted to stay with her and Cameron. She knew that meant something, and frankly, that left her content for now. But soon, for their sake as well as for Cameron, they would have to figure out what exactly they wanted from the future, and she really hoped it was the same thing.

As they got closer to the playground, Elizabeth felt her smile grow as she could hear children's laughter and distinguished Cameron's voice in the crowd. It felt so good to hear her little boy laughing. She was glad Steven and Jason had reminded her to enjoy the happy moments in life. Cameron needed her just as much as Aiden did, and she was glad they were here.

Until they turned the corner and saw Carly.

Part 30
Prompt - Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast (Oscar Wilde)

Jason felt Elizabeth suddenly stiffen at his side and his eyes immediately went to the play area where Cameron, Elizabeth's friends and the guards were. He wondered if there was a threat, but saw nothing. Then his eyes scanned the rest of the area and realized what had caused her unease. He certainly was suddenly feeling less happy than he had only moments ago.

He'd been thinking on the simple pleasure of walking with Elizabeth at his side, her hand in his, and even though their history led him to initially feel that they should pretend they weren't here together, he got over it fairly quickly. He wasn't going to act like she didn't matter to him. This wasn't just about Jake, that many of the town now knew, or suspected was his - despite them not officially saying anything to those beyond their immediate circle. This was about Elizabeth and them.

Of course, he knew they'd need to talk eventually. He didn't want to just assume they were in a relationship now. While they had cleared the air about so much in their past, he was determined to treat her better. So many times they had let their attraction build, began something without naming it, and then let it fade. Sometimes she backed away, other times he was the cause, but he was learning the why didn't matter to them so much now. However, he was going to do better. He wanted her to know how much she mattered to him. Not just because she was Jake's mother, but because she had been his friend for so many years, and the woman who had always held a piece of his heart.

Even though it seemed only a short while ago that he'd been with Sam, the ease that he and Elizabeth had found once again felt right and natural. He'd realized what was important when she'd been missing, and this time he wasn't going to stand back and just hope she was alright. He wasn't going to put others before her and leave her to drift and find her own way. He'd had his moment of realization that he'd been letting others direct his life because he didn't really believe he deserved one without Elizabeth, but her disappearance had shaken him to the core. He now understood that he couldn't leave her alone and hope for the best; it was up to him to do everything to ensure she was safe, and he wanted to do all he could to ensure she and her children were happy.

However, there were plenty of people in town who would fight their relationship. There were people who, for whatever reasons, seemed so opposed to Jason and Elizabeth being together that he couldn't understand why, except to realize they were selfish people who somehow believed that his life was theirs to dictate and try to run. Carly had been one of those people, and for too long he'd let her get away with that belief. He'd been too weak when it came to her because he hadn't wanted to deal with the hassle and headache that she always caused, and so she entrenched herself further and further into his life. He had ended his engagement with Elizabeth because of the belief that Carly's son needed him more and was more important than his own son and the woman he loved.

He saw Carly's eyes narrow at the sight of them, and then burn with pure fury when they fell upon their joined hands, and knew that this impending confrontation was not going to be pleasant. Carly wouldn't understand his declarations, she would fight and insist, and even if he stood firm now, she would expect him to later cave to her. Because he usually always did. He internally cringed at the realization that she and her cousin Lucky had been large sources of problems for him and Elizabeth, and had been their weaknesses. Well, Elizabeth had found the strength to stand up to and end things with Lucky; he was going to prove as equally strong. Although he expected Carly to not actually believe it; she tended to live in her own little world where her beliefs and wishes ruled and were so. She was in for a harsh dose of reality, and he found he didn't particularly care that it might hurt her.

As they walked closer, neither of them acknowledging Carly, Jason saw an internal battle wash over the blonde's face. She was determining how she was going to make her attack. A part of him wished she would do it soon before Cameron saw them; he didn't want this fight to take place in front of the young boy. This moment was supposed to be for him, and Jason didn't want it marred.

"Jason," Carly said curiously, her eyebrow lifting. "What are you doing here?"

"Elizabeth and I are here to meet Cameron," he answered, keeping his voice neutral.

The older woman's eyes narrowed and her lips pursed and she cast a derisive, and dismissive, glance at the woman at his side. Then she looked at Jason and asked, "Why?"

His own brow went up and he said curtly, "It's none of your business."

When she realized that he didn't plan to stop and engage her but was about to continue on, she stepped hastily in front of them and sneered at Elizabeth. "Isn't this cozy? My cousin's child is in the hospital and you're dragging Jason to the park to play with your fatherless bastard."

She yelped when Jason suddenly reached out and snatched her arm and spun her around forcefully, pushing her off the path near some bushes. "Don't ever say that again," he growled angrily. "You have absolutely no right to look down your nose at Elizabeth for anything that's happened in her life, or with her children. Let's not forget about Michael and all the stunts you've pulled, and let's not forget that only a little while ago you came crying to me asking me to hold your pregnancy test and claim I was the father of your latest child because you had no idea if Jax or Sonny was the father. You are not a saint, you are not perfect, and your children aren't any better than Elizabeth's."

He pushed her away from him, ignoring her sputtered protests and indignant huffs that he dared speak ill of her actions or Michael, and continued, "Don't act like you care about Lucky. You don't; it's just another way to try to come after Elizabeth. Elizabeth wasn't lying about Aiden's paternity...she didn't know because Helena Cassadine changed the results. But none of that matters, because Lucky has another child in the hospital as well; one that he knew about and ignored because he simply didn't like the boy's mother. Your cousin isn't a saint, so don't suddenly get in Elizabeth's face and pretend that you're having some big family show of support."

"Lucky is in jail in Australia," Carly said incredulously. "He's been refused bail. He's been refused humanitarian release to come home for his children. And it's because of her."

She pointed an angry finger at Elizabeth. "Lulu is beside herself. She knows Elizabeth is just being vindictive."

"Actually," Jason clarified with a smirk, "that would be me. I informed the FBI of a few things, they spoke with the Australian authorities, and they agree that given Luke's penchant for running off to countries with non-extradition treaties, that his son would follow suit. He assaulted Elizabeth in front of a dozen witnesses at a hospital. There's no denying what he did. And he didn't care about Lucas before, and he certainly didn't care about Aiden until he learned the boy was his. It's all about biology for him; Cameron and Jake never mattered, they were just tools to use against Elizabeth. Just like you've used Michael against me for years."

"Jason...how can you...you love Michael," she protested.

"Not more than my own son," he shook his head. "Not more than Elizabeth's children and not more than Elizabeth."

He heard Elizabeth gasp softly beside him, and Carly shook her head. "No. No, I know you're concerned about Jake because he's missing...but Jason, you don't have to do this. You don't have to claim to love some brain-damaged weakling and her other children just to get access to your son."

"Actually, Carly," Elizabeth said, speaking up for the first time. "It was amnesia, not brain damage. That you can speak so derisively about brain damage doesn't speak well towards your feelings for Jason. But you don't have to worry about the fact that I can't remember...because thanks to Lucky sending me crashing into the corner of a wall and knocking me out, I now remember everything."

She advanced on the blonde, her shoulders set firm, her hands in fists at her side and she went on the attack. "I remember your son shooting Kate and running away and never paying the price, while you came to my home and told me that you would ensure that Cameron was taken away from me and sent to foster care for starting a fire. You would make sure that I lost custody of Jake and you would help Jason raise him. I remember you telling me I wasn't anything special because any bitch in heat could lie down and have a baby; it didn't mean anything that I'd had Jason's child. I remember you gleefully joining Lucky's pity chorus and going on and on about how awful I was for cheating on poor, little him...how about the fact that he cheated on me with my sister and got her pregnant and abandoned her and her child? Is he still some saint?"

She shook her head, her hair rippling over her shoulders and said, "I heard the whispers of you and Lulu...deriding me for having three babies with three fathers. Why, I was just some absolute slut for such a feat. Did you forget the fact that you have three children by three different fathers? Does that make you a slut? Or do the rules not apply to you, just like they don't apply to your children? It's only me who needs to be dragged to the town square and put in stocks for being such an immoral woman."

"Listen, you little-" Carly began.

"No, you, listen," Jason growled low in his throat, stepping forward and standing side by side with Elizabeth while he took her hand. "I've stood back too long and let you go off on Elizabeth. I've told you before to stop, but I never followed through. My relationship with Elizabeth is none of your business. You can't pull out the friend card, or say you're just concerned about me. You don't want anyone to take advantage of me, but you do it all the time."

He let out a breath and said, "I'm not going to argue with you, Carly, because you never listen. You get a little nervous if I'm mad at you, and try to change, but not really, and never for long. You just do what you want to, and I get upset, but I always let you do it. I'm done doing it. Now"

Stepping closer and lowering his voice he bit out, "You don't get a say in my life, and you especially don't get a say in my life with Elizabeth. She and her children aren't your business. My interaction with them isn't your business. My feelings for them aren't your business. If I spend time with them or not isn't your business. If I love them or not isn't your business. If I take Elizabeth and her son to the park so that they can have a break in their day and forget, just for a little while, that Aiden is going to die...then that's none of your business. When we find Jake and welcome him home, it will be none of your business. You won't be around."

"Jason," she pleaded with him her eyes beginning to show panic at his matter of fact recitation.

"No, Carly. You refuse to listen to me. You refuse to respect me. You knew...you knew how much I loved Elizabeth and Jake and how scared and worried I was after he was kidnapped by the Russians and you knew how much it killed me to give him up. But then you just didn't care...you had me in your life taking care of all your messes and Sam was better than Elizabeth because then I would be there for you. And really...anyone was better than Elizabeth, right?" He tilted his head to the side and looked at her. "Because she scares you. My feelings for her scare you because you're afraid I won't put you first. And I'm not going to anymore. I've hurt Elizabeth and her children too many times by putting you and your children first and I'm not going to do it anymore. Elizabeth and her children, they are my family. Their comfort, their care, their worries...those are my concerns and my priorities. I thought maybe you'd be my friend, but I see I was wrong."

He stopped and swallowed and then declared, "You aren't my friend. And since you can't support me and you won't leave Elizabeth and her children alone, you are now my enemy. My men will stop you if you try to come near. You will not be allowed to harass Elizabeth or her children and I will not be there for you when you blow your life apart. My son is missing. His brother is sick. His other brother is scared. His mother needs all the support and love I can give her and I will give it to her. You are now just the person who refuses to see the truth and go away gracefully."

Tightening his hold on Elizabeth's hand and tugging slightly to indicate his intentions, he said, "Since you won't leave, we will."

As they turned, Carly called out to him, but he ignored her. He then told the guards on the perimeter of the playground that she was to be kept away and if she continued to harass the family, then they could call the cops. Then they joined Cameron at the swings and Jason smiled as Elizabeth wrapped her arms around her son and a hint of a sparkle came to her eyes.

She needed this today. She needed to get out of the hospital where she was waiting for death to arrive. She needed to remember that life was still going on around her. That she was still alive. Hopefully with the transplant they were preparing Lucas for and doing all they could to increase his health to maximize acceptance of the bone marrow, it would help her find comfort in her child's death. He had no illusions, though, that it was going to be hard on her. The Spencer family was going to descend on her, she was going to have to face her sister, and she was going to have to bury her child. But she would find her strength, just like she always did. Only this time, he was going to make sure that he was standing beside her and helping her so she didn't have to do it all on her own.

If Carly or Sonny or anyone else didn't like, he really didn't care. He had supported his friends through so many different problems and times in their lives and he had finally seen just how one-sided it was. When he needed support, when his child was missing, they couldn't give it to him. Not fully. They expected their needs to still come first, or they thought they could continue to bad mouth Elizabeth and he would just accept it. They would learn just how wrong they were. And he would remember every single slight against his family, every time they tried to interfere with his life, and he would make sure to repay them. Sonny and Carly...and he figured even Sam...weren't going to go away easily. They thought they knew him and how he would act...but they would learn. He had his family now, and he wasn't going to let anyone hurt them again.

Part 31
Prompt - "Down boy!"

"I am so sorry, Elizabeth," Monica said softly, placing her hand on the shell-shocked mother's shoulder.

The older doctor had been surprised to hear the gossip around the hospital that Elizabeth's son had been brought back from Australia, and even more surprised to hear that Jason had not left her side. There were other rumors going around, about Elizabeth's other missing child, and they had been confirmed when Jason had come to her one day and confessed to her that he had a son.

Jacob Martin Webber was actually her grandson. And she only learned about the fact after he had been kidnapped by the psychopath that had tormented her son before. She had been angry, she had been hurt, and she had been elated. Jason admitted he'd known since before the now four-year-old was born, but he and Elizabeth had both thought it was safer if nobody knew the little boy was his. Given everything that Michael had been through, and the enemies that were showing up in Port Charles every couple of months, she could understand why they'd feel that way. But she'd also been hurt, deeply hurt, when she found out that Luke and Laura knew the truth, while she hadn't.

In the end, though, she'd decided it was more important that she knew now, and even more important that she support her last remaining child. It was obvious to her that he loved Elizabeth Webber, even if he wasn't admitting it. He came with her to the hospital every day, he was staying at her house, he was helping with her older son Cameron, and he was doing all he could to search for their missing child. They were utterly, and irrevocably a family; a combined unit that stood against everyone who opposed them.

And there were plenty of people who did. The Spencer family, what few stragglers there were in town, descened on the hospital demanding to see Aiden. They called out Elizabeth for her behavior towards Lucky in the past, for the fact that he was under arrest in Australia, and pretty much for life in general. Before Luke Spencer did a runner - probably to try to go spring Lucky from jail - he went off on her grandson's mother and accused her of all manner of things. Then he'd dropped a bombshell on the parents - because Jason stood toe-to-toe with the drunk and told him to stop blaming Elizabeth for his son's failures; Luke said that he was now glad he'd changed Alan's will and Jason's offspring wouldn't inherit the money his father had left them.

Monica had seen red, and when Tracy hadn't been able to bluff her way out of knowing what her husband had done, the angry grandmother had done something she never thought she'd do. She called the cops on Tracy and Luke and her sister-in-law was now facing charges for fraud and Luke had yet another warrant out for his arrest. She'd kicked Tracy out of the mansion, and Edward had been so furious with his daughter and son-in-law that he'd fired her from ELQ. Monica didn't know exactly where Tracy was living now, but she didn't care. The fact that Tracy had violated the last remnant of Alan's life still hurt her, and Monica had gone back to attending daily AA meetings to keep from relapsing.

However, being able to sit beside Elizabeth while they were in Aiden's room had helped her reconnect with the young woman who had been inseperable from Emily. They reminisced, they cried, they admitted their failures, they confessed their fears, and sometimes gave voice to their frustrations. And when Aiden took the expected turn for the worse, she had stood silent sentinel with her son on the other side of the grieving mother when she gave the okay for him to be taken off life support and his bone marrow and organs to be donated.

Jason held her in the empty hospital room while her tiny body was wracked with sobs and mother and son's gaze's met over the younger woman's head. She saw his pain and heartbreak for Elizabeth, and she suspected it was because he'd come to love Aiden as well in the brief time he'd known the little boy. All Monica could do was helplessly rub the grieving mother's back and offer what words of comfort she could and hope that somehow they were enough.

As her son held Elizabeth, he drew her closer to him, his arms enveloping her almost completely Monica felt that she was intruding on their time. Jason may not have been Aiden's father, he may not have even spent barely more than a week with the baby, but he was a grieving father as well, because his son's brother had lost his life. With Jake still missing, Monica knew this would hit the two of them hard, because eventually their minds would begin to wonder what if they never found their son, or what if they found him only for this to happen to him as well. Her heart broke for the couple, for they certainly were one, and her eyes swam with tears. She backed up for the door, knowing that even if she tried to tell them she was leaving they wouldn't hear her in their grief, and planned to tell the guards stationed outside the door to ensure no one went inside. She would leave word with the staff to not intrude on the parents for a little while in order to give them some time to themselves.

As she stepped out into the hallway, she realized that her instructions to the guards would be unnecessary, because they were already performing their job. Sonny Corinthos looked beyond angry to be detained, to not be deferred to like he was used to, and actually be told that Jason wasn't available at this moment. And likely never would be for the mobster.

Anger swelled inside her, and Monica moved with swift, measured steps until she reached the group and found a convenient target to vent her frustration on the unfairness of life.

"Get out of here right now, Sonny," she grit out, "before I have you arrested for trespassing. You have no business here and you most certainly aren't wanted. So go, before I order hospital security to hold you until Mac gets here."

First he looked shocked, then angry, and then quickly covered it with an oily, smarmy smile and she knew he was going to try to turn the charm on her. She, however, wasn't going to fall for it. The days of biting her tongue around Sonny Corinthos simply in the hopes of not upsetting Jason were over.

"Monica," he began, flashing her a dimpled smile. "I was simply visiting."

Her eyebrow rose and she asked, "Who? This is the pediatrics ward. I haven't heard of one of your children being admitted."

"I came to see Jason," the man admitted truthfully. "I needed to speak to him regarding a few matters."

"Well, I'm sorry," she replied, though her tone indicated she was anything but. "He's unavailable. Elizabeth's son was just taken off life support. I highly doubt he's going to leave her any time soon."

She could sense the other man's frustration rising, although he tried to tamp it down. "I don't mean to appear insensitve, but it is very important that I speak with Jason."

"And I don't mean to call you stupid, but there's no way he's going to leave Elizabeth. Let alone for you," she countered, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Listen, Monica," Sonny said, dropping the charm and his face hardening. "I don't think you understand."

"Oh," she smirked, "I understand perfectly. You told my son that looking for his son was less important than him helping you get Brenda back in your bed. You told him that he had a job to do and that was whatever you said. Forget that Jake was missing. Forget that he knew Helena Cassadine was involved and Elizabeth and Aiden were missing as well. Looking for his son wasn't as important as your next piece of tail."

"I know that Jason cares about Jake," he tried.

"He doesn't care about Jake," she corrected him scornfully. "He loves his son. And he loves his son's family. He was concerned about Cameron. He was concerned about Elizabeth and Aiden as well...because he loves them all. Because you and I know, even if we haven't acknowledged it, or tried to believe otherwise, that Elizabeth and Jason are bonded. And not just because they share a child. Did you seriously expect him to not look for his child, Sonny?"

"I needed his help."

"Getting Brenda into bed?" she scoffed. "You are unbelievable. But of course, you hung A.J. on a meat hook until he signed away his rights to Michael. You have poisoned our grandson against us because we are such an unsuitable family, despite the fact that your dead wife was the person who ordered the hit that left Michael in a coma for over a year. Despite the fact that you lie and cheat and murder...the Quartermaines are clearly so reprehensible that Michael would have just been damaged forever if he'd had any interaction with us."

"Monica," he said low in his throat, his tone unmistakably a warning.

Her eyes narrowing, she stepped forward and said, "I am not afraid of you, Sonny. Go ahead, threaten me. What's the matter? Are you afraid of the truth? Your son was sent to prison because everyone around him lied instead of confessing that he defended his mother. You looked down on A.J. because he was a drunk and thought Michael would grow up being treated like a pawn in our family. How many times have you and Carly sued each other for custody of him simply so you could punish the other person for their behavior? Don't stand there all high-and-mighty and act like you're so superior to this family. We never claimed to be perfect, but we never even had a chance with Michael.

"And we never even had a chance with Jason," she continued. "You got your hooks into an impressionable, unknowing man and you took advantage of him at every turn, and have continued to take advantage of him. We made mistakes with Jason, it's true, but everyone wants to continue to punish us and cruicify us for them, but what about what you've done? That's all forgotten because you're Sonny Corinthos?"

She shook her head and declared, "I don't care who you are. You have no power and you have no clout here. I don't care that you're on the hospital board; you don't have the right to demand to see someone simply because you decree it. Jason is grieving; he's with Elizabeth who is grieving. I know it's a stretch to hope for, but for once in your life, show some humanity. Don't come to the hospital and try to badger him."

Pointing her finger she said, "You have no business on this floor, and I highly doubt you have any legitimate business in this hospital, so leave. If you're having trouble understanding that, these security officers will be happy to explain it to you as they escort you from the building. And if you're still having trouble comprehending, then they'll be happy to hold you in the security office until Mac can come, and then maybe he can get through to you."

Crossing her arms over her chest, she refused to back down from his angry glare. Holding her head high she said, "But if you think that you're going to get any closer to Jason than where you are right now, you're dumber than you look. And right now, that'd be saying something."

Looking at hospital security who had arrived on the scene she said, "Make sure he leaves."

Then she turned and looked at Jason's guards and simply gave them a nod. They would help if Sonny gave security any trouble. As she walked past the room where Elizabeth and Jason were ensconsed, she considerd proposing to Edward that they do all they could to get Sonny kicked off the hospital board.




They continued to hold each other long after Monica left; she may have thought they weren't aware of her departure, but Jason had noticed. He had been grateful for her support, especially after knowing he'd disappointed her by keeping Jake a secret for so long. However, she proved that she was willing to forgive him, and anxious - although nervous - to give him and Elizabeth whatever support she could, and he'd been grateful for it. He knew there were very few from his former life that would offer him the same comfort.

Eventually Elizabeth's tears subsided, but he continued to hold her, to provide her what strength and comfort he could. He could not imagine the hurt she must be feeling at the moment, and he was determined to not leave her alone. To let her know that she didn't have to face this alone. He knew she would have her brother along with James and Lottie, and even her grandmother, but he wanted to let her know that he was there for her as well. That he was going to be by her side and not leave her to deal with the fallout by herself.

She shifted slightly and let out a shuddery breath and he gently brought his hand up her spine, and then down again. With small, comforting circles on her back, he continued to hold her, content with the silence around them. He could never convey with words how much he was sorry for what happened to Aiden, or how he would be with her; right now, he needed to show her. Too many times he'd said one thing, and contradicted it with his actions, or gave off confusing words and actions that left her uncertain about what he meant or where she stood with him. He wasn't going to hold back anymore.

Pulling back slightly, but still keeping one arm around her, he brought up a hand and brushed her hair back from her tear-streaked face so he could see her eyes. They held such misery that it sliced at him. "Do you want to sit down?" he asked her. "Are you tired?"

"I...I'm numb," she replied softly. "I-I don't really know what I want. There are so many things I feel like I need to do, to take care of, and yet I just can't."

"Then don't," he said simply. "You don't have to take care of it today, Elizabeth."

"I just want to see Cameron," the wounded mother said. "I just want to hold him."

"Then let's go home." Jason turned, keeping an arm around her waist to support her, and helped guide her for the door. As he opened the door the guards turned to regard him and he gave silent orders; get Elizabeth's belongings from the room, get the car, give him a report later. With silent efficiency, Harrison took up post in front of them while the other guards took care of the rest.

Thankfully they didn't encounter anyone on their way to the elevator, or once they were down in the garage. Elizabeth didn't say anything until they were well away from the hospital and then she reached out and took his hand, turning to look at him with mournful eyes.

"Thank you, Jason," she whispered. "Thank you for not leaving me alone."

"Never again," he promised her. "Never again."

Part 32
Prompt - Spring

On the surface, Lottie disliked everything about Jason Morgan. Former mobster - she wasn't entirely certain how former he really was - who had broken the law numerous times. And had broken Elizabeth's heart numerous times as well. When she and James found the young woman on the side of the road, determined to get to Colorado any way she could, even if it meant taking a ride from a slightly dubious truck driver, she had felt immediately protective of the clearly confused younger woman. The more she got to know Taylor, the more Lottie was insistent that she and her husband would help her.

Then, when the sheriff showed up and told them that their new friend was actually a missing mother from upstate New York, her concern had warred with her happiness that they'd discovered who she was. That concern had only grown when Dr. Steven Webber had shown up and they'd learned more about the young woman they'd taken under their wing. When Elizabeth had asked her and James to accompany her back to Port Charles, they'd immediately agreed. They didn't want her to be alone as she was coming back to a life she didn't know, and they were grateful for the chance to continue to watch over her and help her any way they could.

They never could have known exactly what they were getting into. An abusive ex-husband who had abandoned his child with Elizabeth's sister, a psychotic artist who took Elizabeth's child that she'd had with the local mobster, and a crazy, old woman who routinely kidnapped and tortured people for her delight. They'd left their sweet, peaceful life in Colorado and stepped into the middle of bizarre chaos. Yet, they would never abandon Elizabeth. Not after seeing those that cared for her, not after meeting her precious son who had opened his heart to them and adopted them as his grandparents, and not after watching Elizabeth find her feet on the ever-shifting sand of returning memories.

She and James had no idea when they would return to Colorado, but they knew it would not be soon. They could not abandon Elizabeth during this time, and it was watching that same determination in Jason Morgan that caused Lottie to begin to change her views on the man. She and Elizabeth had shared many discussions regarding Jason and his involvement in the young woman's life, and while there was much she didn't like about it, she knew that Elizabeth had made plenty of mistakes of her own regarding the relationship the two had over ten years. If Elizabeth, without her memories back, found something to like and trust in Jason Morgan, then Lottie decided she should swallow her prejudices and retorts and try to find the good in the young man as well.

She had certainly found it, and it had surprised her.

For all the mistakes the man had made in the past, he was making up for them in spades now. He was a great source of strength and help to Elizabeth even before his employee had found her youngest son, but the devotion of the man since their return from Australia had absolutely sealed the deal for the older woman. He stayed by Elizabeth's side through the whole ordeal with her little boy, and did his best to help comfort Cameron as the young boy's world was turned upside down once again. He didn't let anyone, from Lucky's family to his former friends, say anything bad about Elizabeth, and when she'd faltered at Aiden's funeral, he ignored the stares and remarks from the congregation and stood at her side in silent support while she said good-bye to her son at the front of the church.

Letting out a sigh, she cast a glance at the stairs and couldn't even find it in her heart to be bothered by the fact that when they returned home, Elizabeth had murmured out a quiet apology, and then walked upstairs to her room, holding Jason's hand. Cameron was with his great-grandmother and uncle; Elizabeth's relatives had thought they each needed some time alone before they brought him home. Lottie felt she should do something, and yet, she didn't know what. She'd already cleaned Elizabeth's house in the days leading up to the funeral, she'd cooked and frozen enough meals to feed them, plus the men Jason had watching over them, and she felt like she should leave so she wasn't intruding on the family, but the one time she and James had offered to go back to their hotel, Elizabeth had looked so panic and grief-stricken that they'd quickly agreed to stay.

"She'll be okay," James said, as he walked in from the kitchen and put his arm around her. "She's a strong one, our Taylor; knew it from the moment I saw her at the truck stop. No matter what's happened to her since then, she's still strong."

"I know," Lottie sighed out as she nodded. "But this was her baby. It's going to hurt for a while."

He brought his other arm up around her and held her close, and she knew he was remembering the children they'd lost before they were even born. It was why they'd both taken to the young woman; they'd never been parents and couldn't leave someone by the road when she needed their help.

"Yeah," he agreed gruffly, "it will. But she'll get through it. She has you, and she has that young man with her. Say what you will about his past, but his love and devotion for her is clear. He'll help her."

"Yeah," she nodded, leaning her head against his and rubbing his arm. "He will. And she'll survive."




It was quiet in the room, but Elizabeth wasn't asleep. Too much hurt inside her for her to be able to sleep, plus her guilt over not having Cameron with her was keeping her up. Her son was so confused and frightened once again, and they had talked with Dr. Hayes frequently; she just felt helpless because she couldn't fix this for him. When her gram and Steven had offered to take Cameron for a little while, to give them both some time, she had initially protested. Cameron was her son and if he needed to process his brother's death, then she should be the one to help him. But eventually she could see that he wanted to go with his relatives, and that led to a whole new wave of guilt.

Warring with her hurt that she didn't want to be with him was relief that she could be alone; alone with Jason. She shouldn't, couldn't, put her feelings first; look what had happened with Jake and the Russians because she'd been selfish about wanting a relationship with Jason. She was a mother, her children were supposed to be the most important things in her life. But she couldn't deny that being with Jason, relaxing and not having to worry about Cameron did sound good to her. She shouldn't feel that way, though; not after all the time she'd lost with him because of her amnesia.

"Shh," Jason whispered softly from behind her. They were lying on top of her covers, still dressed from the funeral, and his arms were around her. Surrounding her, pulling her in and making her feel safe and protected on this horrible day. "Cameron will be fine with your grandmother and Steven."

She sighed. "I hope so. I feel bad that I'm not with him. I feel selfish that I'm lying here, glad for a few minutes to myself."

"It's not wrong, Elizabeth," he told her, his hand gently brushing her hair off her shoulder. "You need to take care of yourself as well. You can't neglect yourself."

"I can't help thinking about Jake," she confessed. "How the Russians took him because they knew about us. And I can't help thinking, am I being selfish again? Am I putting my needs before my children again?"

She felt him stiffen behind her and she hated bringing the subject up, but they had held back before, not being truly open and honest and she couldn't live like that again. If she and Jason were going to have a life with each other, they had to be honest with each other.

"You aren't selfish, Elizabeth," he told her, his voice deeper with emotion. "And you weren't selfish then. We made the wrong decisions because we were trying to keep our relationship a secret and so we weren't being safe. I should have had gaurds on you and the boys. I should have just stepped up and said 'this is my family and anyone that touches them will pay', but instead we hid. That was our downfall. I should have said that you weren't going to the cabin that Lucky had; you were going with my guards to a safe house. The Russians would have never gotten in and taken Jake. It wasn't our selfishness, Elizabeth, because it isn't selfish to love someone and want to be happy. It was our fear, and I think we've learned from that."

She turned on the bed, keeping Jason's arms around her and not caring about her skirt becoming twisted and wrinkled beneath her. Looking at him solemnly she said, "We have. I know that we're safer now because you're here and your men are watching over us. I know that whatever happens between us, the guards will always be a part of our lives...and I'm okay with that."

Taking a deep breath, she plunged forward. "I hope you're in our lives. Maybe this is the wrong time to say this, but I won't live my life biting my tongue, afraid to speak. Too many years were wasted, too many things were lost."

Cupping his cheek with her small palm she said, "I love you, Jason. Not because you're Jake's father, or because you're my friend, or because you have been here helping and supporting me. Although those things are a part of it. I love you because a part of me has always loved you. The man you are. The kind, gentle, loving man who has supported me, who has loved me and helped me feel free when my world felt like a cage and I didn't know what I should do, torn between duty and desire. I didn't stop loving you after that day at the courthouse, I just had to bury it; try to find a way to live my life knowing I couldn't have you. I didn't do very well."

Her fingertips trailed lightly over his growing stubble and she continued, "Even before I got my memory back, I felt right with you. When my entire world was in chaos and confusion, you were the thing that felt right. You grounded me, you made me feel like I could face anything simply because you believed me and would be there to support me. And when I got my memories back...I still felt that way. Only it was stronger. I didn't focus on the pain of the times we were apart; I focused on how I felt with your love."

Her heart was racing and her mouth felt dry as she finished and she found it difficult to swallow as Jason looked at her. He was silent and she didn't know what that meant. Had he buried his love for her so deep he'd forgotten it? Was he trying to find a way to not hurt her feelings?

Self-preservation led her to put her finger over his lips and say, "I didn't say this to put you on the spot. It may be too soon to say this; it may not be the right time. It's just our past...we danced around things too much, afraid to say what we felt, afraid to be the first person to say something, and I can't do that anymore. I don't want to hide from you anymore, I don't want to hide from life; I want you to know how I feel."

Slowly, but deliberately, Jason wrapped his fingers around her wrist and moved her hand out of the way. He stared at her with such intensity that her breath caught in her throat and she felt like she couldn't even blink and break the moment. His head moved forward until his lips were just a fraction of an inch away, and then they brushed across hers. Tender, light, not demanding or passionate, but fervent all the same. It was chaste, but full of feeling and she felt herself melting at the reassurance and love she felt.

He pulled back and licked his lips and said with a gruff voice, "I love you too, Elizabeth. I buried it, I tried to ignore it, but it was there. It came back when you had amnesia and I didn't want to frighten you, but I don't want you to think that I don't love you. I do; I love you so much sometimes it frightens me, but I would never change it."

He pulled her forward and she tucked her head under his chin, listening to his heart beat, listening to the silence that surrounded them and sheltered them in this moment. It was broken, though, by the creak of the stairs and she knew the footsteps were too heavy to be James or Lottie, and they weren't her gram or Steven. They stopped outside her door and then a heavy fist knocked.

"Jason?" Francis called hesitantly. "Jason, I'm sorry to interrupt, but it's important."

They sat up and Elizabeth pulled her hair out of her simple twist and she scooted to sit beside Jason who called out, "Yeah. Come in."

The older man opened the door, looking regretful at the intrusion. Stepping into the room he held a large envelope in his hand and said, "We just got a delivery from Hot Springs, Arkansas."

"What is it?" Jason immediately asked.

"Franco sent a picture of Jake," he replied as he held the folder out.

Part 33
Prompt - Respect

"You have to respect a man who's so ballsy."

Elizabeth turned to look at James, incredulous at his statement and snapped, "No, I don't. I don't have to respect anything about Franco."

Shoving a hand through her hair she continued, "I know everyone always does this 'wow, you have to respect a person so whacked out but who absolutely sticks to their beliefs' and I don't understand that. I don't respect him, I don't want to respect him, I don't think anyone should respect him for being a psychotic, whacked-outed killer and kidnapper. That's how they always get away, someone like Luke Spencer thinks it's more fun to toy with the nutjob than to catch him; the police are so overwhelmed by the 'sheer lunatic genius' of the person that they don't believe they can catch him. That ballsy man has my son. He's...he's doing...who knows what to-to...my son..."

James was off his chair in an instant, moving with such speed as to bely his age and the moments of arthritis he complained about. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her close, soothing her with a hand on her back and rocking her gently while he shushed her softly in her ear.

"I didn't mean Franco, Taylor," he said, slipping as he sometimes did and calling her the name he'd come to know her by. "I meant your young man Jason."

She immediately felt embarrassed for her outburst, which mixed with pleasure at the praise so obvious in her friend's voice. Sensing she was calm, James released his hold of her, but took her hand and looked at her with a lifted brow.

"That is a decisive man," he stated. "The moment his employee brought him information on your son, he sprung into action. He was issuing orders to the FBI and told them that he didn't care if they balked at it or not; if they didn't want to help you find your child, then he would do it himself. And you know he would have."

"Yes," Elizabeth nodded slowly. "He would have. It's...it's not normal for him to cooperate with the authorities."

A small chuckle escaped the older man and he said dryly, "No, I imagine it's not. But the fact that he is working with them proves that he's sincere. Not just in finding your son, but that he's really made some changes in his life. I know he has...connections; he didn't need to call the FBI and wait for them to come over and share the news. So far, your cops have been pretty ineffective in finding your children. Jason obviously has resources and the willingness to use them that they don't. He could have just taken some men and left to go follow-up on this clue, but he called the authorities. Because he wants this man taken care of properly."

James paused for just a moment and then said, "You know that he could take care of this so-called artist properly and nobody would ever discover any evidence to link him to it. But there would be so many questions if he just showed back up with Jake, and who knows if the FBI, or your local cops, wouldn't investigate it just to try prove that they could. Jason took the FBI with him because he wants to make sure that he doesn't have any problems when he returns home to you."

Her cheeks flushed while her stomach clenched and the older man looked at her with frank appraisal, before his face softened into familial warmth. "I was rather inclined to dislike the young man; given everything we learned about your history together. But the way that man has done everything he could to find you, to find your children and stay by your side...that man is besotted with you. He loves you, not just because you gave him a son...that man is so far gone on you it would almost be comical if he wasn't such an imposing figure."

By now her cheeks were flaming and her friend chuckled and pulled her close for a one-armed hug. "You're a good girl, Elizabeth, and he's a good man. And it's evident by the way he takes care of you and the way he acts. I don't know if this will be the lead that brings Jake back to you, but I know that man won't give up until he puts your boy back into your arms."

He straightened and nodded his head as he said, "And that is something I can definitely respect."




"Are you a friend of his?"

Jason was afraid a crown would crack from the way he was clenching his jaw. Franco's clue had led them to some quiet, tree-lined street and right to the house of the biggest busybody in the world, one Mrs. Wilson. When Jason and Francis knocked on the door of her bed and breakfast and said they'd been sent there by a man named Franco, she didn't just hand over what she admitted she had for them, she wanted to talk. What was this about, the kind young man with the little boy wouldn't really say except that he needed her hold onto a package for a friend of his. Apparently, the old woman wanted to make sure that she wasn't holding drugs for them or something, because she had been asking Jason questions for the last five minutes and he was at the end of his patience with her.

"I know him," he replied tightly. "I wouldn't really call us friends; he...he hasn't been honest with me and right now he's got something of mine that I want back. He thinks he's playing a game and I don't see the humor in it."

"Oh," the white-haired woman frowned. "I didn't realize...of course you just want your belongings. Let me go get the package."

She left him and Francis standing on the porch and Jason turned away from peering in through the screen door and ran a hand through his hair in frustration. There were almost a dozen men, between his employees and the FBI, watching the house and the street to see if Franco was in the area watching them. The FBI agents would probably tell him not to show frustration, that it would just play into Franco's hands and the twisted game he was playing, but Jason was too agitated to give heed. Plus, he knew that Franco wouldn't be here.

The psychopath was still playing games. Despite Jason staying closer to Port Charles like Francis had originally counseled him, the deranged artist hadn't returned to the upstate port town. He was still toying with him, dangling clues, making Jason chase him, and the former enforcer was playing right into his hands. But how could he not, when there was a picture of Jake, sitting on the steps of Mrs. Wilson's bed and breakfast? Jason and Elizabeth had poured over the picture, trying to memorize every detail of their son; trying to assure themselves that their little boy was okay.

He was sitting down, but he looked like he'd grown. His face was a little thinner, his hair longer, and when he smiled his cheeks dimpled just like Elizabeth's. It was both a beautiful, and heartbreaking, sight to stare at his son's face and not know how the little boy was. At least when Elizabeth would bring him the occasional picture back when they were dating, his heart would ache with missing Jake, but he knew, absolutely knew, that he was safe and healthy with his mother. Now, they had no idea of the quality of care Jake was receiving, if he was scared at night, if he was lonely, or if he thought this was all just one big adventure.

"Here you are," Mrs. Wilson said as she returned to the doorway. She pushed opened the wooden screendoor and held out a thick manilla envelope. "I didn't know I was holding stolen property; I hope you won't be upset with me."

"No," Francis shook his head, speaking kindly to the old woman while Jason took the fat evenlope. "My friend knows you were taken in just as he was. He's just trying to get his things back. We appreciate you helping out."

"Thank you," Jason said, distracted by the package in his hands but trying to be polite to the older woman. Once she nodded at him, Jason left her to the capable hands of Francis who would continue to charm her and smooth things over and headed down the sidewalk to the SUV waiting at the curb. Stepping over the water running in the gutter, the anxious father settled into the vehicle and shut the door, closing out the world.

Swallowing thickly, he turned the envelope over in his hands and bent the silver tabs to the flap could be opened. He jerked in surprise when a pair of latex gloves were shoved over the seat, smacking him in the nose. "Here," Jack said. "At least wear gloves so we can try to preserve the evidence."

Annoyed, but grateful the FBI agent didn't demand the package first, he tugged them onto his sweating hands and was thankful when Francis climbed into the driver's side and reached over to turn up the vehicle's AC. Opening the envelope, Jason reached in and pulled out a t-shirt. It was small, a solid, dark color with a logo for Harding University emblazoned along the front. He knew that it was to symbolize Jake, and as he brought it closer, he realized it didn't smell like a new, unworn t-shirt and his heart burned for a moment as he realized his son had actually worn the article of clothing.

"What is it?" Francis asked. Instead of answering, he merely turned it to show the others and hand it over to the FBI agent who was wearing gloves of his own.

"Never heard of the place," the guard answered, but pulled out his phone and started searching the internet for it.

The shirt had been the bulk of the package, but there were still a few items inside and Jason tipped the envelope to bring them into easier grasping reach. A picture came next and a lump formed in the worried father's throat. It was his little boy, wearing the shirt that had been in the envelope, sitting on a bench in front of an administration building.

"At the university, no doubt," Jack said, looking over Jason's shoulder.

"Harding University is only fifty miles on the other side of Little Rock," Francis informed them. "And we're about fifty miles from Little Rock, so in less than two hours we can be there."

"Let's go," Jason commanded, not even waiting for the FBI to chime in. He didn't care what they wanted him to do or not. And he knew that Jake probably wouldn't even be there, but he was going to this college and he was going to see if Franco left him another clue.

"What else is there?" Adam asked, speaking up for the first time.

"A note," he replied, pulling out a folded sheet of paper.

"I thought I knew you," he read out loud. "You don't have to be with the woman who kept your son from you. If all you want is the boy, I can give him to you. We can raise him together; teach him to be the man he should be. All you have to do is come get him."

Jack took the paper from Jason's hand before he could crush it like his inclination demanded of him. Franco would never understand his love for Elizabeth, or why Jake had not been a part of his life before now. He seemed convinced that Elizabeth had kept Jake away from Jason, and it fit in with what Elizabeth had remembered of him at Sarah's apartment. Taking Jake was her punishment for keeping father and son apart, and Franco raising Jake was the demented artist's gift to Jason.

Looking at Francis he felt frustrated and even a little bit helpless. The two men had talked about how this was all a game to Franco and making Jason chase around town would only prolong the search for Jake. But how could he leave now and go home? Would that really draw Franco back to Port Charles? It hadn't worked so far. He only seemed to leave clues when Jason actually joined in the search personally.

As if knowing what his boss was feeling, the older man said, "Let's see what's at the university. I doubt it will be Jake; it's too soon in the game to actually give him back. But he seems to think you're only with Miss Webber because you think it will get you Jake and he's offering you the opportunity to have your son without her."

"I won't walk away from her," Jason declared firmly. "Not for a part in this twisted guy's game, and not when she needs me."

"I know," Francis nodded as he turned the SUV towards the interstate. "I know. But I also know she'd tell you to do whatever you had to do to get Jake back."

Looking out the window, the worried father sighed. "I know. But I won't play this psycho's game and chase him all over the country and be away from her. He could toy with us for years. I think...I think ultimately, you're right about him. If I don't play his game, he'll eventually come back to Port Charles. We could hope for a lucky break in the chase for Jake, or we could play to our strengths and be waiting and ready for him."

"I agree," Jack chimed in from the back. "I read this guy's file, I read about your previous interactions with him, especially the last time when he lured you to L.A. It's time we stopped playing this guy's game. It's time to make him come to us."

"Where we'll be waiting," Jason promised low under his breath. He didn't care if the FBI actually thought they were going to arrest Franco; the former enforcer knew that the only way the artist was going to leave Port Charles was in a pine box. Because he wasn't going to hope that he never had to deal with the psychotic man again; he was going to ensure it.

Part 34
Prompt - Triumph is just "umph" added to try. God's Little Instruction Book for Students

Elizabeth stood up slowly and wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand before stuffing it in the pocket of her coat. She let out a breath and sighed heavily, then straightened her shoulders and turned to go. Cameron was back at the house with Lottie and James and her grandmother would be coming over soon along with Steven; it was an attempt to have some family time together and while Elizabeth appreciated their efforts, it was still hard. Hard to be around people and not devolve into sadness as she thought of Aiden, hard to be around people and not feel tense because of all the truths that had been revealed, and hard to be around people and know she was surrounded by love but wish that the only person with her was the one person she couldn't have.

Jason was tracing leads on Jake and while she missed him, and believed him when he told her he missed her, she knew that right now he was where he should be. He was searching for their son. He had found the little boy before and she believed he would do it again; so she had to push aside her selfish desire to have him with her, and learn to accept the other people in her life that loved her. It didn't stop her from needing time alone, though.

"Pretty pathetic," a voice sneered, jarring her out of her thoughts. "Can't even get a headstone for your dead bastard. When my baby died, Jason had a headstone immediately for her."

Elizabeth stopped and stared at the woman who emerged from the bushes on the side of the path and any sadness she might have been feeling was pushed aside. They had been pretty lucky to not have run-ins with many people, but Sam was like a roach; she never truly would go away.

"I'm not doing this, Sam," she shook her head as her guards closed in around her. "Go back to whatever barge you're slumming on and leave me alone."

"No," the angry woman snapped, reaching for Elizabeth and then yelping when Harrison's heavy arm came down forcefully on her wrist and caused her to step away. "You and I need to talk, Elizabeth."

"About what?" she wondered. "What do you think you have to say that I could possibly be interested in, Sam?"

"This is all about Jake," the other woman taunted. "Jason just feels sorry for you because you can't remember anything. He's finding his son that you didn't protect, and when he does, he'll take Jake away from you. And that's when I'll get him back and help him raise the little boy that should have been mine."

Letting out a huff and rolling her eyes, Elizabeth shook her head. "You truly are delusional, aren't you? You honestly think that you'll get to play stepmommy to Jake?"

"His mother," she said with self-satisfaction. "No court in the world, especially one in Jason's back pocket, would give someone like you custody of Jake. You can't remember anything."

"Actually, Sam," she smirked, "you're a little out of the loop. I remember everything. I remember you standing by and doing nothing when Jake was kidnapped by Maurine. I remember you coming along with a gun to scare off the two men you hired to threaten me and the boys in the park. I remember you coming to my house and telling me we were even now because we both had dead babies. I remember you telling me you would seduce my husband and make sure I lost everything because Jason had a child with me."

Taking a step forward, she lowered her voice and said, "I remember it all. Telling Carly about Jake. Threatening to tell Lucky. Never paying one second for all you did to my child."

"Jason loves me," Sam asserted. "It's why he came back to me and why he forgave me. He could never hurt me; he understood I never really meant to hurt Jake."

"Whatever," the mother laughed off. "If you have to tell yourself that, go ahead. Jason and I have talked about it all and I know why he really ended up with you. You were there, like a cheap suit or cheap perfume draping yourself all over him. You think a guy is really going to turn down easy sex when he's determined to self-destruct?"

Holding up a hand when she saw Sam take a breath, she said, "And spare me details about your love life or how that proves Jason wanted you. All it proves it that you're pathetic and you have no self-respect. You figured as long as you distracted him with sex enough, he'd forget about me."

"And what about you?" the other woman sneered. "Yet another paternity scandal. And then poor, little Elizabeth couldn't handle the shame and ended up in the looney bin."

"You're right," she agreed, seeing the shock on the other brunette's face when she did. "I self-destructed right along with Jason. It's kinda what you do when you want to find something to replace the hurt you have. You know...kinda like your moment of weakness when you watched an unstable woman take off with my son. I never should have gotten involved with Nikolas or Lucky...but I can't regret that time because I was blessed with an amazing little boy."

"Who's dead now," Sam taunted.

"Yes," she nodded slowly. "Who's dead. But I remembered him before he died. I made sure his life meant something and he helped a sick little boy. I chose to do that; unlike you who had no compassion for another mother and then browbeat Alexis with those stemcells that Sonny signed off on. You didn't choose to save your sister."

"My daughter had just died," the other woman keened.

"And no woman in the history of the world has ever lost a child before," Elizabeth shook her head. "I had two miscarriages, Sam. And I just lost my son. I will always miss my children and be sad for the lives they never were able to live. But using them as an excuse for misdeeds and hurtful behavior is just pathetic. I would feel like I was tarnishing their lives if I used their deaths as an excuse to do whatever I wanted."

"And you're not using your child's death as an excuse now?" asked the woman who had tormented her for years. "I've heard Jason's living in your house, playing daddy to your other bastard and you're keeping Lucky locked up in Australia so you've got him free and clear attached to you."

"I know this is a novel concept for you," Elizabeth said, lifting her brow in disdain for the woman before her. "But Jason is his own man who makes his own choices. I'm not manipulating him. I don't play those games. That's your forte, and Carly's...and guess where you are in Jason's life?"

"For now, maybe," the other woman shrugged. "But eventually, he'll tire of you like he always does and come back to me. And when he does, I'll gladly help him take care of his son."

"You think Jason needs help?" she laughed. "He raised Michael when Carly was incapable, and agreed to help you because you were threatening to abort the daughter you now claim you love so much. That's the only reason he ever took you into his house; it was a favor for Sonny. And just like the last helpless mother he took into his life, he can't seem to shake you off his back. You think you have some all great connection to him because he agreed to help you raise your child. Well...where he is he right now?"

She spread her arms out and said, "He's searching for his son...our son. He calls home every night and talks to Cameron. He stood by my side while I buried Aiden and we're waiting until he returns until we place the headstone. It's ready...but he asked that we wait. So that he and I and Cameron...and maybe even Jake, can come here and have our own private family moment with Aiden."

With a shake of her head, Elizabeth said, "You think you can make me doubt Jason, Sam. You think I'm the same quiet, frightened woman I was before my injuries. I have my memories back, but I am not the same person I was. I am not going to cower to you, or let you rattle me. You think your past with Jason makes you invicible. Let's see how invicible you really are when Jason returns and hears about this visit. Because the guards will tell him. I don't need to, because I don't need Jason to fight my battles, and I don't need to prove anything to him. I can deal with you all on my own, just like I did at the Black and White ball. I'm not afraid of getting into it with anybody, so get out of my way because I squish you like the bug you really are. And if you ever come near me again...I might just have to ask Mac about the statute of limitations regarding accessory to kidnapping."

Then she pushed past Sam and continued down the path. But she wasn't so far away that she couldn't hear Harrison give the other woman a final warning.

"A word to the wise, Ms. McCall," the guard growled low in his throat. "It might be time to move on to...other ports. Mr. Morgan will be informed about this meeting, and I would gladly volunteer for the assignment to deal with you permantly. Living down on old barges can be dangerous. One little slip and your neck is instantly broken and you're floating face down in the water. Oops."

As Elizabeth climbed into the car to head back to her house, she looked at her guard and the corners of her mouth turned up. It grew into a full smile when the corners of his lips twitched upwards as well.




If he was lucky, he might make it home before Cameron went to bed. He hadn't been able to call home because of the flight and the approach for landing, and then once they touched down, he didn't want to call and get their hopes up that he would make it home in time in case that the stop he planned to make took longer he wanted. Nor did he want Cameron to try to wait up for him and then be disappointed if he was late. The one thing he did not want to do was break promises to the little boy like Lucky had.

Thankfully, his stop, which had extended into a second one, had gone quickly. Jason met briefly with the men who were left to watch over the business holdings he'd gotten when the partnership between him and Sonny was dissolved and learned about the latest attempts Sonny had made on them. The older man was floundering in his business; men were leaving, taking offers from other families and other corporations because the mobster was erratic and unpredictable. He was making bad decisions, desperately trying to project that he still maintained power while everyone now knew that it had been Jason that brought stability and organization to the business.

He was allowing himself to be dragged into Carly's impending divorce with Jax, while still fighting to get Brenda back. The Australian had finally had enough of Carly's behavior and irrationality regarding Brenda and after she had attacked the model and brought a spate of negative publicity for the MetroCourt Hotel and Jax's other businesses, her husband had finally had enough. He had filed for full custody of Josslyn and Carly had turned to Sonny in her desperate bid to stop her soon-to-be ex-husband. And in return, Sonny had capitalized on the opportunity to eliminate the man he believed was a rival for Brenda's affections. He'd framed Jax for drugs and rape, and then had gone for a double whammy and tried to implicate Jason as an accomplice.

Knowing Sonny's property so well had allowed him to slip in undetected, and the threat he'd leveled at his former friend and partner had been lethal. While the older man had tried to claim that he would never really let Jason be charged with anything, the former enforcer had known the lie when he heard it. Sonny wanted Jason's holdings to shore up his failing business and he was willing to do anything to get them back. Even frame him for drug trafficking. Thankfully the men Jason had watching his business had been efficient, had recorded Sonny's men carrying out his illegal orders and had called the police on him. That Sonny was under house arrest with an ankle monitor and his jet and passport confiscated was evidence that he still had judges in his pockets, but Jason had let him know that his good fortune would not continue. Jason had been prepared to let Sonny be as long as he returned the favor, but now he knew that his former boss would never stop.

Which had led him to his second stop of the night. He delivered a file to Diane and told her to use it discreetly. If she gave it to the FBI, they could not know that it came from Jason. If she gave it to the PCPD, the same rules applied. It needed to be anonymous...she could claim she found it as she was separating herself from being Sonny's counsel and knew that she had to turn it in. The lawyer was surprised by his actions, but not entirely so given what had been in the news.

Now, with Sonny well on his way to being neutralized, Jason was ready to go home and see his family. He hadn't found Jake yet, but he was ready to give Francis' plan a try. Franco wouldn't be able to resist the little reply he'd left behind on the artist's trail of clues. And when he came to Port Charles, they would be waiting for him.

But Jason was not going to be separated from Elizabeth and Cameron any longer. As the SUV pulled into the driveway, he looked at the house and was glad to see that the light in Cameron's room was still on. He had made it home in time to see his son before the little boy went to bed, and that was more important than anything else he had arranged tonight. Because it meant that he hadn't let Cam, or Elizabeth, down.

Part 35
Prompt - Battle

"Aren't you going into the office today, Edward?"

He looked over at Monica as she poured another cup of coffee and shook his head. "Not this morning. I have a meeting out of the office."

"Oh," she nodded. "Now that Tracy is out of ELQ, you are usually gone so early in the morning."

She paused for a moment and a look of sadness crossed her face, probably remembering the sadness of several days ago when Aiden Webber had died, and the worry that she...and all of them felt when thinking about Jason's son Jake still being missing. Looking at him with concern, his daughter-in-law asked, "Are you feeling okay, Edward?"

"I'm fine, Monica," he assured her. He had been working long hours, re-establishing his control after Tracy's removal from ELQ, and even though he didn't want to admit it, he wasn't as young as he used to be. With so many families members lost, especially with the recent death, he could understand why Monica would fret over him. Had it been asked by his dear Lila, he would have been touched, and that was the only reason he did not respond with a gruff rebuttal. However, he wasn't ready to share any of his thoughts and plans with anyone, even if Monica had given Sonny Corinthos a long-overdue dressing down and asked Edward if there was any way they could get rid of the mobster from the hospital board and ELQ.

Edward had been thinking long and hard about many things, and had decided that it was time to call in a few old markers and favors. There were people who needed to pay, and now with Jason finally turning his back on so many of the people that Edward wanted to pay - even if Jason wasn't fully ready to embrace the family once again - it was time to move swiftly and decisively so that they could be dealt with. Whether they interfered with any plans his grandson might have, Edward truly didn't care. He was about to unleash his own brand of retribution on people and prove that the Quartermaines were a force to be reckoned with.

"Well," Edward said as he finished his own coffee and reached for his briefcase where he had many nuggets of information he had collected over the years on a variety of Port Charles citizens and beyond. "I will see you later, Monica."

"Have a good day, Edward," she offered, looking up from the medical journal she was reading.

Thinking about the meeting with his friend Judge Coolidge, he smiled and said, "I will. Have a good day as well."

"Oh, I will," she smiled broadly. "I am going spend some time with Elizabeth and Cameron, and hopefully Jason if he finishes his business errands."

He paused, a genuine smile softening his features, even as sadness was shared between them as they worried over little Jake who was still missing; then he straightened his shoulders and firmed his features before giving his daughter-in-law a brisk nod and heading off. He was off to wage war against those people who deserved a vengeful justice brought down upon them. There were many people who were going to learn just how knowledgeable Edward truly was, and how far his sphere of influence could reach.




The moment Sam opened the door and saw him standing there, her eyes flashed with fear, before she schooled it away in an attempt to look in control and, he supposed, seductive. The woman he'd foolishly taken back into his life, leaned against the door like a cat, thrusting her chest out at him, and plastering on a coy, come-hither look. She tilted her head so she could look up at him through her lashes and purred out, "Jason."

"Cut the crap, Sam," he said roughly as he pushed his way past her, knocking her backwards as he forced himself into her tiny apartment - it certainly wasn't the top floor suite she used to have - and crossed the room. He turned, folding his arms over his chest and pinned her with an angry glare. "You and I need to talk."

She closed the door and turned, moving slowly as if that would somehow cover her fear and looked at him with not-so-pure confusion on her face. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," he said, his voice low and gravely in his throat, "Your little run-in with Elizabeth at the cemetery."

"What about it?" she challenged after a moment. He'd seen the war wage in her eyes, pull out the tears and hope they'd affect him, or answer his anger with defiance. Defiance won. "I think I have a right to talk to whoever I want to talk with."

Jason laughed mockingly and shook his head. "You'd think so, wouldn't you? But you don't. You have no right to talk to Elizabeth."

"Oh, did her feelings get hurt?" she asked mockingly. "Good. It's about time someone knocked Elizabeth down."

"And you think you're going to be the person to do that?" the former enforcer asked, lifting a brow. With a shake of his head he said, "Well, you can try, but better than people than you haven't been able to do it, what makes you think you'll succeed where they haven't?"

"Because I know her weaknesses," Sam taunted him, placing her hands on her hips. "Her weakness has always been you and our relationship. She just lost a child and she's a pathetic, vulnerable piece of clay who falls apart anytime life gets a little too rough."

Jason took a breath through his nose and let it out before shaking his head. "You're wrong. Elizabeth is strong, stronger than you have ever been. But she's not rough. She's not worn and jaded; she still has compassion and humanity and so many people mistake that for weakness."

He'd done it himself, sometimes. He'd seen her purity and her goodness and thought that she wasn't strong enough to handle the blackness that surrounded him, and he hadn't given her enough credit for all that she'd been through in her life.

"She's lost children before, Sam. She's had miscarriages; she's faced horrible, horrible things in her life, and she's still standing. And she's never once used those horrible experiences as excuses." He gestured to the woman standing across from him and shook his head. "Unlike you who blames everything you do on somebody else or something else, Elizabeth has always stood stronger than that. Yes, she is sad over the loss of Aiden, but unlike you, she didn't have to be badgered and begged to save another child's life; she willingly and lovingly saved her child's brother."

Then Jason's face hardened and he took a step forward, his eyes narrowing into pure anger. "And you badgered her at her child's grave. What if someone had done that to you at your daughter's grave, Sam? You would come crying and wailing about how awful they were and how horrible it was. You have always had a double standard in life, but this showed just how truly depraved you are."

"Depraved?" she asked, hurt coloring her voice and making it hard. "You took me back, Jason. You let me into your bed. You told me you loved me. If you think I'm depraved, then what does that say about you?"

"That I was wrong, Sam," he told her bluntly. "I never should have gotten involved with you again. Not only was it wrong for me, but it hurt Elizabeth very deeply."

"Oh, poor Elizabeth. She was off sleeping with two different men...brothers...and didn't even know who the father of her latest child was. She wasn't some poor, little virgin sitting at home," she sneered at him, hoping to hurt him with the reminder of Elizabeth's past.

"I know," he nodded. "But neither Lucky nor Nikolas had stood back and watched her son get kidnapped and then taunted her with the possibility that he was dead. That was all you, Sam, and that is why it hurt so much more when I got back together with you. I...I never should have done it. I don't have any excuse for what I did; it was wrong."

"No," she shook her head. "It just proved that you loved me most of all and Elizabeth was just a pathetic diversion."

"No," Jason refuted. "You were the diversion, Sam. You were the person I thought I should settle for because I couldn't have what I truly wanted. And if I was with you, then I wouldn't try to be with Elizabeth and the boys and that would keep them safe. But it didn't, and I realized that when she was missing, and I realized how wrong I'd been. You watched my son get kidnapped and you did nothing. You put Elizabeth, Jake and Cameron in danger simply to manipulate us and teach me a lesson. You slept with Lucky all in an effort to hurt Elizabeth and blow her life apart because you saw her as the reason I was no longer with you. All the while forgetting that you'd slept with your stepfather and tore your sisters' lives apart."

With disgust clear in his voice he continued, "I told you once I would kill you if you ever hurt Elizabeth or her children again, and then I got back together with you. It's something that I will regret for the rest of my life. But I will never make that mistake again. For too long I have let you get away with what you did to my family, and it ends now."

Sam's eyes widened and she swallowed as fear radiated off her. "Ja-Jason? What...what do you mean?"

"I won't kill you, Sam," he shook his head. "Because you're not worth the trouble that would come to me if someone found out. I will not jeopardize the chance to be with my family for someone as inconsequential as you. No, there are other ways to deal with you, and they've been set in motion."

"What...what do you mean?" she asked, losing all her self-assured composure. "Jason...you know what we meant to each other. How could you turn your back on all that we had?"

"Because you overplayed your hand and went after Elizabeth," he told her. "After I walked out of the penthouse and went looking for Elizabeth, I didn't think of you, Sam. You weren't in my thoughts, and I frankly didn't care to even wonder what you might be doing. But you pushed your way back into my life when you attacked Elizabeth at her child's grave, and for that...that you will pay."

He stepped up to her and looked down at her. "Diane has been given certain information that she's turning over to the police and the FBI as we speak. It's up to you whether you want to run and try to avoid the arrest warrants that will be coming your way. Try your hand at running, Sam," he almost taunted her. "But know this...I will have men watching you. I will have men chasing you. You will never be able to escape me. They won't kill you, but they will ruin your life. Every time you stop, every time you try to pull a con, or think you can put your life together...they will tear you apart. You will be left with absolutely nothing; all the while knowing that Elizabeth and I are together, that we are in love, that we are raising our family because I will find Jake and bring him home to his mother. While you are left with nothing, I will have everything, and my men will make sure that it happens. Or you can stay here and take your chances in jail and hope you have a better life there."

As if he would let her. But she didn't need to know that. She had crossed the line...she had crossed it before and he foolishly hadn't done anything to her. Now she would feel his wrath, and would be reminded every day just how powerful he really was and what meant to be Jason Morgan's enemy. And she would have to live with it for the rest of her life.

"It's your decision, Sam," he told her, moving past her and reaching for the door. "But just know this, when I walk out this door and return to Elizabeth...you'll already be nothing more than an unpleasant memory."

And for a woman who wanted everything, especially him, that would be eternal punishment.




There was a definite spring to Edward's step as he entered the house that evening. Monica raised her brow to look at him questioningly, but she was easily distracted from her curiosity as he asked her about her day with Elizabeth and Cameron. The young mother was still saddened over the loss of her little boy, but was doing her best to continue on for the sake of her oldest whose entire life had been turned upside down several months ago. He was grateful for another person to get to know, showing the wonderful resiliency of children. He had perfect faith that his brother would be found, because Jason 'had done it before'.

The older man was saddened for all that Elizabeth Webber and her children had gone through, but knew that if anyone could help her, it was his grandson. Jason seemed to have finally decided that family was the most important thing, and had walked away from Sonny and Carly Corinthos. Jason was focused completely on his family now, and wasn't going to let anyone interfere with him finding and protecting his children.

However, there were things that Edward could do to help him, even if he knew his grandson would insist he didn't need help from anyone. Today's meeting with Judge Coolidge had proved that. His old friend had given him some very good legal advice and had even accompanied Edward to the station where he turned all the evidence he had over to Mac directly. Tracy was was already sitting in jail, but there were still other people who could taken down. Although, Tracy was going to find herself facing a few more things, all in the effort to get her to give up her ELQ stock a little more quickly. While Dillon and Ned could keep their stock, Edward had felt it was only fitting that Tracy's should be divided up amongst the rest of the family; it was his attempt to create a more solid voting base to get rid of Sonny Corinthos.

Sonny and Carly would find themselves facing some new troubles as well. Edward had kept files and notes and now that Jason seemed to have cut ties with the selfish pariahs, he had no remorse about handing over the information. Sonny was not going to escape criminal charges, and Carly was going to face even tougher challenges in her attempt to keep her children, and her sanity, in her divorce from Jasper Jacks. While it was too late to regain custody of Michael, with his parents in jail and their crimes - especially against non-mob interests - exposed, hopefully the young man would begin to question his unflinching loyalty towards them. Especially when he saw his uncle was no longer firmly in their camp, but was spending time with the Quartermaines. Edward suspected Jason would be a lot more forgiving now than he would have been before should the truth be discovered about where the anonymous tips had come from. And with Judge Herb Roosevelt in Truman Coolidge's back pocket, he could request the upcoming cases to his docket, and nobody would suspect that the newest judge on the bench would actually be working to ensure Edward Quartermaine got exactly what he wanted

Part 36
Prompt - Tangle

"Jason, we may have something."

The words spoken quietly into the phone caused Jason to come instantly awake. He sat up, switching on the light beside the couch, and reached for a pen and paper. "What is it, Francis?"

"Our guys have been watching for even the slightest hint of Franco and tonight an alarm went off in the warehouse space he used the first time he came to town," the older man replied. "It was a silent one, and a couple of men went over to look into it; they didn't find anyone, but they saw that the place had recently been disturbed. But it wasn't ransacked like it was some homeless person looking for something and we don't think anyone's squatting in it. Most things were carefully moved around and the men are searching it to see if anything's taken. We don't know if he realized he tripped an alarm, or whether he just found what he came for and left, but someone was in his old artist's space tonight."

"But they were gone by the time you got there," he said, his shoulders slumping in disappointment.

"Our men got there quick, Jason," the former guard defended them. "There were only a few things moved, which makes us think he was looking for something specific."

"If it was him," the worried father said.

"Jason," his friend spoke up. "I know you're worried and you're tired of this guy playing games. But we told you to head back to Port Charles because he wouldn't be able to resist the lure of coming back. It appears we were right. Someone was in and out of his place tonight; something that precise, that quick...it fits his patterns. You should be on the alert that Franco is back in town."

"Have you sent more guards to Elizabeth's?" he asked.

"Already done," the man confirmed. "They're alert and aware and they will investigate even the smallest chance of a sighting."

"Thank you, Francis," Jason breathed out, flexing his empty hand. "I appreciate this."

"We're going to get him, Jason," the man said with confidence. "And we will find your son. You just need to stay close to Miss Webber and Cameron and keep an eye on the house."

"I was going to see Sonny today," he voiced, partly as information, but also to get a new perspective on his thoughts. "I told him to back off and he didn't, and the police and FBI haven't moved on him yet. I..."

"Forget Sonny," the older man cut in. "I know you want him out of the way and for whatever reason, the information your lawyer delivered hasn't put law enforcement on his tail as quick as we thought. But they'll do it...don't provoke him. At least not quite yet. He's got problems enough with the police, and you know they're watching him. Maybe they're actually being smart and having all their ducks in a row before they bring down the hammer on him."

Jason sighed, but before he could speak, Francis sighed as well and softened his voice. "I know this is hard for you. You don't like loose ends out there...and you don't want him to do something else before he gets arrested and we find Jake and have him cause more problems for you."

"I just don't want the distraction of all this right now," he said with tired frustration. "If Sonny gets arrested for going against my business, I'm going to get hauled in for questioning. Some stupid idiot on the force is going to believe I'm not done with him, that I'm still tied to him, or they'll hold me on some trumped up reason so that I don't retaliate and start a war, and then I could be sitting in jail for hours on end when I need to be here. I want Jake found before it all blows up with Sonny. If you're right and Franco really is in town, I want to be focused completely on that. I'd thought since we hadn't heard anything, if I could-"

"Provoke him into acting and get him out of the way, you'd feel like you were doing something," his friend said. "I understand. You hate sitting there feeling helpless and you thought you could get Sonny out of the way. But I'm telling you, let the police hang him. You've done enough by giving them the information...anything more and the men you've made deals with will think you might turn on them and we don't want that, Jason."

"I know," he nodded, running his hand through his hair. "I know. You're right...I hate sitting around feeling like I'm doing nothing. But Sonny is always his own worst enemy and he'll do something. He'd can't not do something. And if he gets himself trapped in his own web and the PCPD arrest him, then that's it."

"I understand," the other man replied. "Then I'll keep you updated on what we know regarding Franco. Sorry to wake you, but I knew you'd want to know right away. I've got men keeping an eye on Sonny, but most of my men are looking for Franco and keeping an eye on the house. I know it's hard, Jason...but you have to give it a little more time."

"Thank you, Francis," Jason told him. "Let me know the minute you know something."

He closed his phone and sat for a minute, his hands braced on his knees. Then he stood and slowly made a circuit of the house. Windows were checked, locks were tested and he felt reassured as he saw the silent shadows of the guards as the men went about their rounds outside. The house was as safe as they could possibly make it, and Cameron and Elizabeth would be safe.

Jason then slowly made his way upstairs and looked into Cameron's room. The small lamp, a new addition since he'd been found because the nightlight in his room was too weak to chase away the dark, cast a soft glow over him and the restless father could see that the young boy was tangled in his covers. Gently he eased them from around Cam's legs so the little boy didn't have nightmares about being trapped, and whispered softly for him to go back to sleep when his brown eyes fluttered open. He stood there to make sure he settled back down, and then left the room.

He passed Aiden's empty room and quietly passed the guestroom where Elizabeth's friends James and Lottie were asleep. He paused outside Elizabeth's room and then slowly turned the knob to push her door open so he could check on her. He wasn't entirely surprised to see her eyes meet his as the light from the hallway filtered in, and he frowned when he saw the tears wetting her face. He began to wonder why he even made up his bed on the couch every night when he always ended up in Elizabeth's room, holding her when she woke from a nightmare, or comforting her in her grief. Maybe it was because while they knew they loved each other, they hadn't been ready to take that next step of fully sharing a bed and all that it entailed.

However, Cameron seemed to accept that Jason didn't always stay downstairs, and the young boy didn't seem bothered by it. In fact, he almost seemed glad to see the older man in his mother's room. Maybe because it meant he hadn't left during the night, but had stayed with them. Whatever the reasons, he was handling the many changes of life remarkably well, and Jason knew it was time to focus on taking care of Elizabeth. Crossing the room, he laid down beside in the space she made for him on her bed and pulled her into his arms. He held her while she cried, and as she quieted, he told her about Francis' call and his intentions to stay close so he could keep an eye on her and Cameron.

"He doesn't need to stay inside all day, but I don't want him going out a lot. I want to be with him," he told her. "We have more guards, and I know James and Lottie would keep an eye on him...but I...I would feel better if I was the one out there. I just don't know what Franco's going to try."

Her arm tightened across his chest and she whispered, "Thank you, Jason."

Pressing a kiss to her head he replied, "I just want to make sure you guys are safe and I need to do that personally."

He paused for a moment and then said, "And...and I want to take care of you, Elizabeth. I hate coming in here and finding you crying alone. Let me be there for you. Let me be here all night so I can hold you and comfort you before you dissolve into tears. Cameron sees me leave your room in the morning; he knows I'm staying here. I know we're not ready for more, but I love you and I want to be here to help you."

Elizabeth pressed her face to his side and he felt more tears wet his shirt, but he felt her nod her agreement and knew he wouldn't be making a bed on the couch anymore.




Lowering his camera, Franco frowned when he saw the light go out downstairs in Elizabeth Webber's house. The door, which he knew was bright blue, was hidden behind a recently installed security door and shadows of men passed in the moonlight as they patrolled the perimeter of the house. It appeared that Jason was very serious about taking care of their safety...now.

He had long known about Jason's connection to the nurse and pretend artist. A relationship that went back years, the object of his obsession had flitted in and out of the woman's life; something that Franco could never understand. Her beauty was passable, but she certainly hadn't been worthy of the Face of Deception title she aspired to and had rightly been passed over for the job. Her talent was prosaic, certainly nothing to the genius that he possessed. But it was her so-called devotion to Jason Morgan that made her truly contemptible. She had constantly gotten involved with others and had given birth to someone else's child, before that fateful day she gave Jason his firstborn.

She wasn't worthy of him, but then again, few people truly were. Sam was easily manipulated and was too afraid of losing her hold in Jason's life to truly be an opponent, and Carly Jacks who thought she could claim the title of Jason Morgan's best friend and wield it like a weapon was nothing more than five dollar champagne trying to pass herself off in a vintage bottle. Franco had never understood the hold she had in the other man's life. Just as he could not understand the power the petite brunette apparently held over the great Jason Morgan.

When he discovered that Elizabeth Webber had given birth to Jason's child, and then kept the truth and the child from him, he was incensed on the other man's behalf. How dare this woman of no consequence take something so valuable and keep it from Jason. She deserved to be punished, and so he had planned. He had let everyone believe that he didn't know about Jason's child, to lure them all into a false sense of security. When he took her youngest child, Jason had hardly reacted. Certainly if he knew the younger brother of his son was missing he would have done something more. He would have met with her, seemed more frantic, more worried, more concerned; instead, he merely looked for the child as Franco assumed he would have done for any child. That proved that Elizabeth Webber, and her off-spring, were unworthy of Jason Morgan. And so Franco had planned.

Then the most wonderful moment dropped into his lap. He discovered Elizabeth Webber was leaving town, and someone already hated her almost as much as he did. While he didn't care about what the silver-haired, regal lady wanted with Elizabeth and the rest of her children, he did want Jake. He wanted to take the little boy who didn't know his father, and teach him what a genius the older man was. He wanted to show him what his father was missing, that killing could be art. Of course, it would mean keeping the little boy for many years, but since Jason didn't know his son, he really wouldn't be missing anything.

However, Jason's behavior when he discovered that Elizabeth's oldest son had been found and the others were missing was intriguing. He seemed worried. He seemed concerned. He left the people who were around him, sucking the life out of him with their constant neediness and taking, and went off on a search for Elizabeth Webber and her children. The truth started to trickle out that he was searching for his son; meaning Jason did know the little blond-haired, blue-eyed mirror of him was his child.

Interesting.

Now Jason was desperate. Now Jason was becoming frantic. And Franco could play him with the ultimate carrot on a string. However, Jason wasn't running all over the country anymore; he was in Port Charles, with his son's mother, standing by her side as she buried her youngest child, playing with her oldest child, and all the while directing men to find his son. He looked at Elizabeth with unabashed love, something Franco had only ever seen snippets of before. They were living together and they wanted their son back. It was delicious, and he was still trying to figure out exactly how he was going to torture them. Sending pictures was becoming trite and boring; he needed to find something to truly engage Jason Morgan and make him see exactly who, and his son were supposed to be.

A soft click sounded in his ear, catching him off guard, and Franco barely had a moment to look to the left before the butt of a gun smashed across the right side of his head and sent him sprawling into the black abyss at his feet.

Part 37
Prompt - Blue Moon

"You must think I'm really stupid."

When the man across from him said nothing, but just smirked, Jason reached into his jacket and pulled out his leather gloves, then slipped then on his hands. He put on the brass knuckles and slowly curled his hand into a fist. The other man's smirk grew.

"You think this proves I'm like you, don't you?" he whispered lethally as he leaned forward and grabbed the hair on the back of Franco's head and pulled, stretching his neck back. "That I'll resort to violence, that I'm a killer and an artist. You think that you've created the perfect opportunity for me to reach my full potential."

He sneered and there was barely any space between them as he moved even closer. "We are nothing alike. When I killed, it wasn't because I wanted to create art. Or because I wanted to feel and got off on the rush of killing. Yes, I was good at what I did. I was lethal and I didn't blink over what I had to do. I killed dozens of men, but I never kept count. They were in the way of my business goals, or my boss' business goals and killing them was the way to reach those goals."

Tightening his hold and tugging the man's head back farther he continued, "I'm not going to say I should have done something else, or I should have found another way. My past is my past and I can't change it. But I didn't relish in the killing. I didn't like killing. I'm not you and no matter how much psycho-babble crap you spout, you can't make me you, or get me to agree to it. You are psychotic. You're crazy, and there isn't any point in reasoning with someone as crazy as you."

Jason brought his other hand up, placing the knuckles against the man's jaw and pressing the metal into the fleshy underside and said, "You know what I want. I want my son. I don't care whatever crazy, artistic view you might have had about taking my son and making him into your perfect vision of me or you or some killer. I'm telling you right now, I will get my son back. And you will tell me."

"That's where you're wrong, Jason," the other man taunted. "The only way you'll get your son back is if you come with me."

"Come with you and be one big happy killing family?" he asked. Then he pulled back his fist and just as quickly brought it forward, crashing it into Franco's jaw. He heard the bone fracture. Not enough to render the man incapacitated, but enough to cause pain. With a shake of his head he said, "I don't think so. The only family Jake is going to grow up in is with me, his mother and his brother. You...you will be the man I promise my son will never return to hurt him...because you won't."

"If you kill me," Franco taunted, launching blood-filled spittle to the side, "you'll never find your son. And then what will your precious Elizabeth do?"

Jason struck again, this time hitting the man in the ribs, right above the heart. A hard, shocking blow that would stun him, steal his breath and temporarily disrupt his heart rhythm. It was followed by a blow to the stomach, coming up under the rib to get at his lung, not allowing the psychotic killer the chance to catch his breath. He finished with a hard blow to the throat that if repeated would eventually crush his larynx and suffocate him.

"I'm just getting started," he said, as the man no longer looked smug and confident, but was instead gasping for air like a landed fish.

The angry father's sneer returned as he said, "You want to make me believe that you don't feel. That you're unique and wonderful. You feel; I promise you that you do feel pain and you will feel fear before I'm done. I will make you hurt. I've learned things, things about what the human body can and can't endure. It's not because I take pleasure in it; it was done to get information. Right now, there is nothing I want more than the location of my son, and I promise you, you will give it to me."

"And what will the FBI say?" Franco taunted. "You turned to the FBI for help finding Jake. Do you really think they'll look the other way when you deliver me to them, broken and bloodied?"

"I don't care what the FBI will think when they find your dead body," he promised. "You took my son. My men saw you across from my house, we chased you; there wasn't any time to call the FBI. You threatened to kill Jake. I simply reacted as any fearful parent determined to protect their child would."

Then Jason leaned forward and smirked, "And if, perhaps, your body has a few more bruises than would be normal, do you really think the FBI will care? Your death solves so many problems for them. You'll never kill another person. Seems to me that they'll look the other way because it's a win-win situation. Now, where were we?"

He tilted his head to the side and said, "Oh, yeah. I was persuading you to tell me where my son is."

Looking to the side, he signaled to the waiting men and stepped back as they hauled the so-called artist to his feet. "Tell me, Franco," he said circling the man and pressing his fist against the killer's kidney, "do you know what it's like to pee blood?"

"Even if you beat it out of me," the other man said, apparently thinking he was going to inflict a debilitating blow, "what will Elizabeth think? There's a reason you hid your son's paternity."

"We were stupid," Jason said easily. "And I know Elizabeth doesn't have any delusions about what I'm about to do."

As she sent him off after Jason received Francis' phone call, the only thing she'd told him was to return home to her safely, and to find out where Franco had Jake. Anything else...she really didn't care about. So no matter what taunts Franco tossed at him, Jason had complete faith that Elizabeth's belief and acceptance of him would never waver. It wasn't merely because he was looking for Jake, but because they had finally accepted the other person for all they represented.




"I told you," Elizabeth said calmly, looking at her brother's former colleague evenly, "I don't know where Jason is."

"But he got a call from his man in the middle of the night and he took off. The only reason he'd take off, is because they think they have a lead on Franco," the man insisted. "Surely he told you."

"He didn't," she shook her head, lying smoothly. "Francis called, said they'd spotted Franco and they were going to go after her. If Jason was going to be a part of it, then he needed to come. There wasn't time for questions and answers. Jason got dressed and left."

"You know more than you're telling us," Adam insisted. "You're too calm."

"That's because my other son is sitting in the next room having breakfast," she said, her eyes widening. "Do you really think I'm calm? Do you really think that I am not going out of my mind with worry, with fear, with elation and hope over the fact that Franco was seen in Port Charles, but the guards didn't see Jake? We are so close. So close to my son...my son who has been kidnapped twice before from me. The man who took my baby out of the hospital when there are state-of-the-art security systems in place to protect newborns...the man who looked into my eyes in California and taunted me that he was going to take my child because I didn't deserve him...do you really think I'm calm knowing he was seen?"

She struggled to get her voice back under control and shot a quick look at the kitchen where Cameron was sitting with Lottie as the British woman sang to him and told him jokes all in an attempt to distract him from this conversation taking place. None of them wanted to upset the little boy who was doing a remarkably well job of acting like a normal child in the face of all the upheaval around him. Elizabeth knew, though, about the times he curled up in bed, Jake's teddy bear in his arms, and cried as he asked whether he'd see his brother again. Or if they'd find him, only to bury him like they did Aiden. She and Jason knew about the nightmares he suffered, the talks with the therapist, the fear all of them felt sometimes until they'd look up and see each other, know that they were safe and then all would be well. She didn't want him to overhear them talking about Franco and Jake; it would only upset him and her job as a mother was to make his life safe.

Apparently her outburst helped her cause because Jack put his hand on Adam's shoulder and pushed the other agent out of the way. "Elizabeth," he said softly. "We know you're worried about your children. We know that Jake has had things happen to him before, but it's always been Jason who's found him."

"Yes," she nodded. "And I hope it happens again now. But I don't know where he is."

This was true. All she'd heard him command Francis was to take Franco to a secure location. She didn't ask, he didn't say, and she was perfectly fine with that. They had caught a break. They had caught Franco. The man who had hopped around the country, tormenting them, leaving clues like they were playing a game, had been caught. Near her house, where he'd obviously been watching. She didn't care why, she didn't really care how; all she cared about was that it felt like they were one step closer to finding Jake.

She knew Jason was capable of violence. She seen him beat people up, she knew he carried a gun, she'd seen the aftermath of him shooting someone. It was never really something she loved, but she'd always accepted that it was a part of him. And she'd accepted when he moved away from it and his past associations while looking for Jake. But she wasn't a fool to believe that he wouldn't do something illegal or violent ever again. Especially in the search for their son. She knew that he would do anything he had to in order to find Jake. Including dealing with Franco however he had to get the psycho to talk. Maybe it would hit her later, but right now, she truly didn't care. This was a chance...a rare, fell into their laps and they needed to grab it chance to get ahead of the man tormenting them and find their son.

Frankly, the FBI could ask all the questions she wanted, she didn't care. She had lied for Jason before to the authorities, and if she had to do it again, she would. Right now, she would give nothing away, because her faith in the man she loved was firm and unshakeable and she knew he would find their son.




"Okay," Steven said as he closed the door behind their grandmother and the guards who would accompany her and Cameron back to Audrey's house while the little boy spent some time with his great-grandmother. The FBI had long ago left, trying to find someone in Jason's employ who knew where he and Francis might be, who would be able to reach them, so they could join in the search for Franco and Jake. It was now just him and his sister, and the guards outside, and he locked the door before descending the stairs of the entryway.

Lifting a brow, he looked pointedly at his sister and said, "Now that the FBI and Gram are thoroughly convinced that you're telling them the truth and you don't know where Jason is, tell me the truth."

She looked at him with a lift of her brow and said, "I don't know where Jason is."

"But they weren't chasing after Franco, were they?" he pressed. "They knew exactly where he was when the guards called Jason, and he didn't rush out of here in a mad dash to join the chase. He knows exactly where that psychotic, little creep is, doesn't he?"

"Does it matter?" she challenged him. She was maddenly calm and composed and he knew that she was going to do nothing to betray Jason. No matter how many questions he asked.

"Look," he said as he sat down beside her. "I'm not going to talk to the FBI. I...I don't really care what Jason might do to Franco. He has Jake, he kidnapped Aiden...from everything I've seen, the guy's a killer, and he shows no remorse and there will always be that worry there if he goes to prison. What if he gets out? What if he escapes? What if he tries to get someone else to do something?"

He shook his head and said, "I'm a doctor, I'm supposed to save lives and because of my past work with the FBI I should be appalled at Jason and what he used to do, or might still do. But...but these past months, searching for you, not knowing where you were and then finding you but Jake and Aiden were still missing and knowing who had them and what kind of people they are...things have changed for me."

Elizabeth looked at him and nodded. "I didn't like Jason's job," she confessed. "I knew it was wrong to kill people and do what he was doing. But...but I saw the man he is, and knew how I felt with him and that was what was important to me. But I know what he's capable of, and...and I have no doubt that he will do everything he can to get Franco to tell him where Jake is. And right now..."

His sister shrugged and looked away. "Right now...I find I'm okay with that. I want my son. I'm tired of games. I'm tired of being dragged around. I'm tired of the fear and this pressure on my chest that makes me feel like I can't breathe properly. I'm tired of being scared to death that I'm going to put Jake next to Aiden. I'm tired of being scared that Franco will always hang over our lives."

She closed her eyes and confessed, "I want my son back. And whatever it takes to do that...I don't know if I really care. So, no, I don't know where Jason is, but no, he wasn't chasing after Franco. He had him, he left to do everything in his power to make that man tell us where our son is. Don't make me regret this, Steven. I've come to rely on you so much and I trust you almost as much as I trust Jason. I'm so glad you've been there for me, but don't you dare betray my son's father and the man that I love."

He scooted closer and he put his arms around her, pulling her close as tears crested and rolled down her cheeks. "I won't, Elizabeth," he promised her. "I won't. I want Jake back just like you do, and I support you. And you trust Jason...and right now, I know that he'll find Jake, because there is no way he's going to let you down. He would walk through fire to bring your son home, and I won't hurt either of you."

His little sister's arms wound around him, squeezing him tightly as she gave into her fear and frustration and managed to say, "Thank you, Steven. Thank you for being here with me. Until I hear from Jason, I feel like I can't breathe...and I know it could take a while to get what we need. So thank you for being here to keep me sane."

"I will," he assured her, tightening his hold. "I got you back in my life and I'm not going to lose you again, Elizabeth."

And for that reason, he would lie to Adam and tell his former colleague that Elizabeth didn't know anything beyond what she'd already told the FBI.

Part 38
Prompt - short term pain for long term gain

"Elizabeth."

Her eyes popped open at Steven's soft voice, and her brother's hand came down on her shoulder to keep her from disturbing Cameron. She'd fallen asleep on her bed beside her son, reading stories and talking as they both tried to distract themselves from the tension they felt. Cameron was a smart boy and he'd known that Jason was gone; he'd heard just enough to wonder if the older man had gone after Jake, and then he recalled vague memories of Jason bringing home Jake when he was baby and it became hard for her to deny telling her son the truth. She explained that, yes, Jason thought he might have found the man who took Jake, and that he was maybe...hopefully...close by and Jason was trying to find him. Neither had wanted to get their hopes up, but they couldn't deny they were anxious and hoping that Jake would arrive home soon.

Easing her arm out from under her son, she stood and looked at Steven in question. He gestured towards the hall and she pulled the blanket from the foot of the bed over Cameron and followed. "What's going on?" she immediately asked as she closed the door mostly behind her.

"Jason called."

Her eyes widened and all traces of sleep were gone as she stared at her brother. "When? I didn't hear the phone."

"He called my phone," he answered. "Wasn't sure if I was still here and wanted me to come over; he was going to call you next. When I told him I was here, I also told him I'd wake you."

"He's coming home?" she asked for clarification. "Did he..."

She couldn't get the words out for a moment and then finally managed to say, "Did he say anything about Jake?"

"He told me to bring my medical bag," her brother replied. "He wanted an initial examination; even though he knows we'll probably want to take him to GH."

"Oh," she gasped out as tears immediately sprung to her eyes and started trailing down her cheeks. She leaned back against the wall, her hand coming up towards her throat, "He found him; he found Jake. Did he say how he was?"

"Said he seemed okay, kinda frightened," he answered, wrapping his arms around her and sharing in her relief and joy. "He said they were close."

Pulling back, Elizabeth looked around, unsure of what she should do first, and then rubbed her hands over her thighs. "Okay. Okay. Oh, Steven...Jake."

Looking over her shoulder she wondered for a moment and then said, "I think I'll let Cameron sleep still. Just until I see Jake and we know how he is, then we can prepare Cam to see him. We...we probably should call the FBI, but we'll wait until Jason gets here and we can figure out the story to tell them."

Her brother's brow quirked and said, "Jason already called them. Told them where the body was, told them where Jake was and that he'd already got him and was taking him home. I imagine the FBI will be busy for a little bit while you have a family reunion."

She heard a car approach and her eyes widened and she turned for the stairs, not bothering to see if Steven followed. She peered out the window beside the door as she descended and saw a car in the driveway and fumbled with the locks to open the door. She was out, ignoring her brother's comment to put something on her feet, as Jason approached, carrying their son in his arms. He stopped when he saw her and she flew to them, nearly blinded by her tears. Francis caught her when she stumbled with the last of the stairs and held her as Jason closed the remaining space, then wrapped his arm around her, Jake cradled between them.

"Jake," she breathed out through her tears, bringing her hands up to touch her son, needing to reassure herself that he was actually there. "Oh, Jake, Jake, Jake."

The little boy reached for her, and Jason helped transfer him, still supporting their son as she now held him. Jake's arms wrapped around her neck, his face buried in her shoulder, and her shirt became damp with his tears. Jason's own eyes were bright in the light spilling out from the house and he wrapped the two of them in his arms and leaned his head against hers. Her eyes closed, she rested her head against Jake's and simply tried to sear every detail about this moment into her brain. The feel of his hair, the weight of his body against hers, the smell of him, even if it was a bit dusty and dirty. She didn't care. She had her son.

She didn't know how long they stood there, but finally Jason shifted and said, "Come on, we should go inside. I want Steven to look at him."

With a nod of agreement, they turned for the house, moving slow because he didn't remove his arms around her, and her legs were weak with pure joy and relief. Finally they made their way inside where Steven was waiting by the couch and Francis was sitting in a chair. Once the family was sitting down, she talked quietly to Jake as she turned him on her lap.

"Uncle Steven's going to look at you, okay, Jake?" she said softly. He hadn't wanted to let go of her neck, but finally agreed to turn. His eyes were big and wide and he was still and silent as Steven talked to him in a gentle voice and explained everything he was going to do.

Gradually, other details began to filter into Elizabeth's notice and she leaned against Jason, grateful that he hadn't let go of her. He had one hand resting on her leg near Jake's and she found herself staring at it, finally realizing what the discoloration on it was. Scabs were already forming, crusting over with dried blood across the knuckles and backs and she could see the faintest beginnings of bruises.

She brought her hand down on top of his and grabbed hold when he tried to pull it back, as if to hide it. Her finger tips traced over the pieces of flesh that were missing and she knew...knew what had caused such bruises. He had gone after Franco to find their son, and had done what was necessary to find Jake. Steven said he'd called the FBI to tell them where the body was, meaning Franco was dead. She didn't have any delusions at this moment that Jason had killed him, possibly with his bare hands. As it rolled around in one corner of her brain while she also paid attention to what Steven was saying regarding Jake, she knew what Jason had done, and she acknowledged it and let it go. She really didn't care. He had brought their son home from the man who had taken him, and that's all she cared about.

"He looks good," Steven finally declared as he sat back, but left his stethoscope in Jake's hands. "No obvious bruises or injuries. He's a little thinner, but he also seems taller, so maybe he hit a growth spurt. I'd like to take him to GH and run some blood work, take some x-rays...just do a full work up so we know everything for certain. But he seems healthy, Elizabeth."

He paused for a moment and then said, "We should probably call Dr. Hayes and have her meet us there. Jake's going to need to talk to someone...you all are."

"Yeah," Elizabeth nodded. "She'll be good, and Cam and I are still meeting with her."

He looked over her shoulder and said, "Jason should probably join you as well. I think it will be good for all of you."

"Okay," Jason immediately agreed. "Anything to help them."

"Steven," she spoke, stopping him as he was about to stand, "would you look at Jason's hands?"

"I'm fine," he denied, once again trying to take his hand out from under hers. He could have forced it, but when she squeezed it and refused to let go, he didn't push.

She looked over her shoulder at him and said, "Please. Don't hide this from me. I don't want details, but I know what happened, Jason. You found our son, you brought him home, but you are not going to dismiss your injuries as if they aren't important."

"They aren't," he insisted softly.

"They are to me," she said simply. "I want to make sure you're okay, just as much as I want to make sure Jake is okay. Let Steven look at them; Jake and I will be right here. Then we can wake up Cameron and he can see Jake. Then we can all go to GH as a family."

"Okay," he nodded just once, bringing his arm from around her and presenting his hands to her brother. "For you."

"Thank you," she said as she leaned forward and kissed his cheek. Then she turned her head slightly and brushed her lips across his briefly, once, twice, then lingering slightly on the third time. She looked at him intently, trying to let him know just how much she loved him and said, "Thank you, Jason...for everything."




"Commissioner Scorpio."

"Yes?" the older man asked, pausing briefly as he stepped off the elevator.

"Agent Adam Quincy," he said, then hooked his thumb at his partner. "Agent Jack Van Buren, FBI. Your office called and said you were on your way down here to talk to Jason Morgan."

"I've heard the news," the police officer said. "His son was found, and you guys went out and collected a dead body. You may be FBI, but the murder is in my jurisdiction."

"Actually, it's not," Jack stated, crossing his arms over his chest and looking intimidating as he rose to his full six-foot-two height. "Happened outside your city in the county. That makes it Sherriff's Department jurisdiction."

"Not if he chased Franco from the city," the man tried to counter.

"Look," Adam said, putting his hand on the other man's arm and steering him away from the elevator to a more private area. They were still attracting plenty of attention, but at least they wouldn't be having this discussion in front of everyone. "I get that you don't like Jason Morgan. You've long suspected the man to be involved in organized crime, you suspected him of several murders in the past, and were never able to convict him. I also know of the personal history between him and your niece and that you never approved of their relationship and have not liked him for many years. This is exactly why you can't be involved in this case."

"You can't tell me what I can or can't do in my own city," the commissioner shook his head.

"I can," he stated simply. "Just because Jason Morgan might have followed Franco out of Port Charles does not make it your case. He isn't law enforcement, this wasn't a pursuit in progress, you don't have jurisdiction. Even if you did, you're too personally antagonistic towards him to ever be objective. One of your detectives is being charged with a crime in a foreign country because of testimony given by Jason Morgan. A good defense attorney, and you know Morgan has one, would get you thrown off the case and any evidence you collected tossed out. Plus, the only reason you're here right now is to assert your authority because you weren't involved in this case and you didn't like it."

"That isn't what I'm doing," the older man countered.

"That's exactly what you're doing," Jack huffed. "The FBI were called in on a kidnapping...as is our jurisdiction. One would think that with Sonny Corinthos floundering around town making stupid mistakes you would have enough to keep you busy. We happen to know that some anonymous evidence was delivered to you regarding Mr. Corinthos and his business dealings and activities. Who do you think gave you such a boon?"

Mac Scorpio scoffed and asked, "You expect me to believe Jason Morgan did?"

"We're not going to confirm or deny that," Jack continued, "but I don't think it's a secret that Morgan isn't connected to his former associate anymore. The business partnership was dissolved, he's not been involved with anything Corinthos has done, and in fact, Corinthos has made moves against Morgan and his businesses. Do you really think that Jason Morgan would just let that go? Especially when it threatens his ability to look for his son or be with his family?"

The other man paused for a moment and then said, "Perhaps not."

"Jason Morgan had men guarding his house because his son was missing, the woman he loves and her son had been kidnapped and he wasn't going to take any chances with their safety," Adam took up the narrative. "One of his employees thought they saw someone suspicious, they gave chase and it led them out of Port Charles. Now, do we wish Jason had contacted us and let us handle the situation? Of course we do.

"But," he said, and couldn't believe he was really doing this. "I think that you yourself, having lost a child and having had your niece kidnapped before - by the victim himself - can understand Mr. Morgan's desperation and desire to not wait and potentially lose the only chance he had to find out what happened to his son. He followed Franco, a fight ensued, and in his desperation, and also in self-preservation against a known killer, the man who took his son was killed. The Sherriff's Department is investigating it, along with the FBI, but preliminary indications are that it was self-defense and understandable given the circumstances of the moment. Perhaps he got carried away a bit, but we're not looking to put a worried father in jail. He was desperate for information about his son's whereabouts."

"As far as the FBI is concerned, this case is closed," Jack stated in a voice that indicated that's exactly what Commissioner Scorpio should think as well, "all that's left for us to do is process the paperwork, and go home feeling relieved that a child was reunited with his parents."

And if that meant that they looked the other way, and convinced the sheriff to do the same, about the condition of Franco's body, then that was simply the way it was. Franco, a serial killer the FBI had been after for years, was dead. He would never commit another crime or terrorize another person. The child he took was recovered, the case was closed. And the FBI would not pursue any charges against Jason Morgan. Perhaps they should investigate a bit more, but this time, they were letting things go. Enough damage had been done, and they weren't going to add to the small family's burdens by taking Jason Morgan to jail. Nor were they going to let him be harassed by the local police, something Commissioner Scorpio obviously understood since he nodded and walked back towards the elevators.

"Come on," he told Jack. "We're done here; let's go."

Part 39
Prompt - Wayward

Life was a delicate balancing act. The return of Jake had been joyous, and yet terrifying all at the same time. Would they find he had been injured in ways they could not see? Would the memories of the time haunt him and would they be able to overcome them?

Jake did have memories, and confusion and certainly nightmares. For the first week home, the family all slept together in Elizabeth's room, because nobody could bear to be apart. While the boys started out on the floor, they often ended up in bed with Jason and Elizabeth when one, or both of them, awakened with a nightmare and needed comforting. There were daily sessions with Dr. Hayes, that lasted longer than Jason could have ever thought imaginable. Jake met with her separately, as did Cameron, and even Elizabeth and then they all met. He hadn't wanted to say much, but eventually the doctor was able to coax from him his fears, his feelings of failure and his resolve to never let anything happen to his family again.

There had been confusion when they sat down and told Jake and Cameron the truth about Jason being Jake's father, and explained as best they could about why that had caused Franco to take Jake. And of course, there was Aiden's death to address and explain to a little boy who did not fully understand why his brother was not there anymore. There were uncharacteristic outbursts of emotions from Cameron, sullen displays from both boys, expected clinging and times when tears seemed to be the only answer to unknown questions. Through it all, though, they stuck together and were determined that they would find their way through.

James and Lottie had gone back to a hotel, determined to give the young family time to adjust without interference, and sometimes Jason didn't know if it helped or hurt them. Sometimes they could have used someone to talk to, but by being alone together it forced them all to have to talk instead of retreating. And when family and friends gradually started to visit again, the four of them were on firmer footing and able to stand together and be in a better understanding of each other and the situation.

Gradually, though, a sense of peace began to settle over the house. Cameron and Jake showed amazing resilience and even though they still met daily with the therapist for Jake and Cameron, Elizabeth didn't need to speak to her every day, and family visits were now every couple of days. The boys moved out of Elizabeth's bedroom, but shared one together. It was a comfort to both of them to be together, and it helped them both have less frequent nightmares. Although it wasn't unusual to find both boys together in the morning on the wider mattress of the bottom bunk instead of their separate beds.

Elizabeth and the doctor had firm faith that the boys would heal; it was just a matter of time. And Jason found himself believing in her surredness. She was a stalwart of strength during the day as she loved her boys, and in the evening it was his turn to be her rock as she gave voice to her doubts and fears that she kept hidden during the day. He held her as she cried, as she whispered her doubts, and he did his best to assure her. And he was grateful to be with her and share the most intimate moments of family life; as well as the most intimate acts of life and love with her. They loved each other, and each day they grew stronger and firmer in their love and their faith and their desire to be a family.

It would come, Jason knew. It was a matter of waiting until the boys were ready to accept one more change in their life. For now, they accepted him in their home, they accepted him as the man who loved them and their mother, and gradually they were accepting him as their father. The spectacle of a wedding would wait until they could handle the prying eyes and comments of the town.

But Jason had not been idle. He was not going to wait until that day came before he dealt with the troublesome people who had created the most problems for him; he was quietly, but efficiently, eliminating the most vocal objectors and threats to the peace he so desperately craved for them all. He had learned from his past mistakes, and those who had hurt Elizabeth and their children would never be able to do it again. It appeared his grandfather had been busy as well, and it was only because they seemed to be working towards a common goal that Jason had agreed to mee with the old man this morning.

"Jason, my boy," Edward greeted him as he stepped through the doors into the mostly empty eatery they'd agreed to meet at. "Thank you for coming."

"You said you wanted to talk about Sonny," Jason said evenly. He was not going to get pulled into games with the older man. This didn't mean he was ready to join ELQ or embrace the family once again, but they had been welcoming of Elizabeth and the boys, and Edward seemed to be genuine in his efforts and wasn't attempting to manipulate Jason before acting.

"Yes," the silver-hair man bobbed in agreement. "I know that you will probably say you don't need my help; after all, you've dealt with Franco and didn't even get brought in for questioning. I also know you're arranging things for Helena Cassadine."

Jason merely raised his brow, wondering what the older man really knew, and how he'd learned things. Edward laughed and said, "You won't confirm it, I know. But I know you're somehow behind the expedited trial in California, as well as her isolation in a maximum security prison. Thankfully, Nikolas Cassadine has finally decided to not interfere, but I had been prepared to launch a salvo against him that would have left him penniless if he'd tried."

He paused and his brow furrowed for a moment then he said, "Perhaps I still will. It's about time those upstart Cassadines were not involved in the hospital any longer. Ever since Stefan maneuvered that hostile takeover, the quality of care has dramatically gone down. We can't have the legacy of Jake's other great-grandfather lost."

At Jason's pointed look, Edward quickly amended his statement to include the Cameron as well. The younger man really didn't care what Edward did, but if going after Nikolas kept him occupied and caused less trouble for Jason, then he'd welcome it. Helena's time in prison was decidedly not pleasant, and after she was found guilty at her upcoming trial, she would meet an unfortunate accident in prison and sadly never get to face the charges awaiting her in Australia for contributing to Aiden's death. He didn't think Elizabeth would mind, though. She was prepared to face Helena in court, but he knew that she would feel relief to have the old woman dead and never able to come after her or the boys again.

Just as she really hadn't cared that Lucky had faced his own brand of swift justice in Australia and had summarily been tried and convincted of assault. Luke had thought he could slip into the country, free his son and disappear, but instead ended up in a jail cell next to his boy. His life of crime around the globe had finally caught up with him, and Robert Scorpio wasn't able to intervene on behalf of his old friend. Luke was facing charges in multiple countries and if he lived through his confinement in the former penal colony, he would merely be sent to the next country wanting a piece of him. While Jason was mad at him and Tracy for the forgery of Alan's will, he wasn't seeking retribution against them for cheating Jake out of his inheritance. Edward had already worked on setting things to rights, even though the little boy didn't need the money. Jason was perfectly capable of providing for his family, and so he was content to let Edward deal with the two people he was angriest with in his own way.

"Now," the older man's voice firmed, and his eyebrows lowered. "With Luke out of the way as well, rotting in a cell beside his no good, worthless son - very nice, by the way even if you won't admit it - it is time to make sure that Sonny and Carly's problems stick this time and they don't get away with all they've done."

Holding up a hand to forestall an argument he probably thought Jason would launch he said, "I understand that you feel some loyalty to him still."

"I don't," the younger man cut in, surprising Edward.

"Oh, well...good. That makes it so much easier for me to continue on with my plans. And best of all, you won't be blamed by the other mob families for his downfall. I'm sure you're trying to avoid problems there, but that wasn't entirely why I turned over my information. I want the scourge of Sonny Corinthos gone from this town. I do not want to hurt Michael, and I know you don't as well...but you and I both know that his parents are not, nor were they ever, a good influence on him. I regret that he's been caught up in his own troubles, but I'm not sure how we can avoid it."

Jason really didn't want to get into an argument with the older man over the issue of Michael over his own past behavior, but he could now understand Edward's actions. Sonny was in jail, facing a litany of charges that would bankrupt him and leave no legacy for his children. While Sonny's children would be taken care of financially, they would not have a fancy house to inherit, no business to try to take over, and none of the power and prestige that Sonny once commanded. And with him gone from their lives, those left around them might be able to lead them onto better paths.

Alexis was leaving town, taking her two younger daughters to the family's holdings in Greece. It was an attempt by her to save face after Sonny's downfall, and Sam's exposure for her crimes. Her oldest daughter had been arrested before Jake had even been found; foolishly believing that Jason truly wouldn't turn her in out of some loyalty to her. But the mobster had followed through on his threat and she'd been arrested after he left her apartment. In the ensuing days after her arrest everything from her past had come out. Most damaging had been the revelation that she had slept with Ric, and her two younger sisters who once looked up to her and adored her, had turned on her with a vicious hatred that proved they were Cassadines. Sam was being held without bail while the D.A. was firming up his case against her, and several other states were lining up for their shot to extradite her.

"I know," he finally sighed sadly. "He was arrested down at Sonny's warehouse, trying to oversee a shipment being unloaded. It was a violation of his parole, they caught him with illegal contraband...he won't be offered bail."

The younger man had been angry over Sonny's downfall and Jason's refusal to stop it, and he'd threatened Jason that he wouldn't let the older man destroy his father's territory. If Jason wouldn't take over, then he would. The ex-mobster had tried to make the younger man see reason, but he eventually came to see that he couldn't continue to make excuses for Michael anymore or protect him from life and the choices he made. Dr. Hayes was trying to help him see that he wasn't responsible for Michael just because the younger man was his nephew and he'd made promises to him as a child. He had done so much to give Michael a better life, but just like Jason had made his own choices, Michael had made his and was going to have to live with the consequences.

"I tried to offer to help him," Edward said, "but he refused. And the courts won't let me vouch for him and release him to live with us."

The older man let out a troubled sigh and said, "I am not blaming you, Jason, for what's befallen him. While you might have originally gone along with Carly's lie in the beginning, I realize you have done so much to protect Micahel. More than you sometimes should have, and certainly more than other people - like his parents - have done for him. You can't blame yourself for the choices that ultimately, he made.

"We used to wonder if we had pushed you into working for Sonny...and maybe someone could argue we did," Edward continued.

"I made my own choices," Jason said heavily. "And Michael made his. He's going to face prison again, and it won't be easy for him. I'll do my best to get protection for him...in fact, I'll try to arrange for him to go into protective custody so he's isolated from the other inmates. And when he gets out, I'll try to help him. But I know that I have to let him face the consquences for his choices; it's the only way he's going to learn. Just like I had to face the consequences for my inactions towards Elizabeth and the boys."

"Despite the dangers they faced, and young Aiden's unfortunate death, things are getting better for them, aren't they?" his grandfather asked with genuine concern.

"Slowly," he nodded. "There's still a lot of work to do."

"Then we can only hope that Michael will come out stronger on the other side of this," the older man said kindly. "Carly will not be in his life either."

"No," he said in agreement. "Probably not."

As her life had been systematically taken apart by Edward and Jax sued her for custody of her children and Jason withdrew his support, she had spiraled completely out of control. While Jax hadn't formally adopted Morgan, the courts had looked at Carly and Sonny's behavior, the intention behind the petition that had been filed, but never formalized, and granted the businessman custody of the boy along with Josslyn. She was locked up in a facility and this time truly seemed to have suffered a complete breakdown. It was uncertain when she would begin to respond to treatment.

"Then we can only hope that when Michael is released, he might listen to his uncle who has learned from his mistakes and left behind his life of crime," Edward stated softly. "I know you don't want to hear it, Jason, but I am proud of you for trying to find another way. And for realizing that you needed to make changes for your family. I truly hope that you don't have trouble with anyone in the future."

Then the older man rose and placed his napkin on the table, leaving the small café where they'd met and leaving Jason with his thoughts. He hoped as well, that he didn't have any problems with anyone in the future, and was hopeful that because he hadn't yet, his former associates would continue to leave him alone.

They appeared to understand that Jason had chosen a different life, and with Maximus Giambetti making a surprise appearance and granting him protection for the kindness he'd shown to the Sicilian's boys, many of the local crime families had understood and backed off. Johnny Zacharra certainly had no desire to come after Jason, and Anthony was locked up in a mental ward with his son determined to keep him there. The threats Jason had faced for so long were gone and the people who had claimed to care for him and only want the best for him but had used him for their own gains were gone from his life. He was free to be with his family and not live with ever-present fear of something happening. While he would always be cautious because of his past, he no longer felt the need to hide from those he cared about most.

There were just a few people left that needed to be dealt with, but it was a battle Elizabeth refused to let him take on. She would deal with her sister, she had told him, and anyone from the Spencer family - like Lulu most often, Bobbie on occasion - who thought they could say something about her and what had happened to Luke and Lucky. Jason was content to let her think he wouldn't do anything, but he would step in once she had her say against them. Bobbie seemed to forget all he had done for Carly and her children and the times she had disagreed with her daughter, and he wasn't going to let Lucky's aunt hurt Elizabeth just because she didn't want to have to deal with Lucky's mistakes. And Lulu...well, Jason would deal with her if needed; the same as Sarah.

For now, he would let Elizabeth face her sister and put Sarah in the past, just as she had done with Lucky, and he had done with his former friends. Then, together, they would continue to focus on their family and work on making their boys safe and secure and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that they were loved. It would take time...but Jason knew it would happen. The boys would grow and with time the memories would fade. They would be replaced with happier, loving memories of their family. It just would be easier to do with the loose ends tied up.

Part 40
Prompt - Unify

"It's about time you showed up, Lizzie," Sarah said as she walked into the small holding room Diane had arranged for this visit to take place in. While Elizabeth wasn't afraid of her sister, she didn't want to have this visit out in public.

Elizabeth didn't rise from her seat; instead she merely lifted a brow and looked at her sister. "Why exactly, Sarah, do you think I should have rushed out here to see you? I had a few things going on in my life."

As her sister sat down, she leaned forward, looking across the table at the older woman intently. "I had to deal with the death of my child. An action, I might remind you, that led to the saving of your child. I had a son to bury, something you won't have to do. I had a child still missing."

"I can't see Lucas," her sister snapped at her. "They barely took me to the hospital, and now that he's had his surgery, they won't take me. You were at the hospital, free to move around, you could have come see me."

"Why?" she wondered. "So you could thank me? Or so you could berate me for Lucky not being there?"

When Sarah said nothing, she nodded her head. "That's what I thought. All this time has passed since Aiden's death and Lucas' surgery, and I've never heard from you. My son helped save your child's life and you can't even bother to write a note. I wasn't expecting pages and pages of apologies and groveling, but not even a 'thank you, Lizzie' for the fact that I arranged for Aiden to be tested to see if he matched Lucas and then brought him home when we found out that he did and we knew he wouldn't be alive for much longer."

With a shake of her head she huffed, "I'm not surprised. After all, you're still laboring undering the delusion that I'm the reason Lucky was never a part of Lucas' life. You think that I somehow found out about your child and I hate you so much that I forbid Lucky from having anything to do with his child.

"You remember, don't you, Sarah," she said as she leaned further forward and stared intently at her sister, "just how shocked I was when we got to your apartment and I saw Lucas. I recognized instantly who he looked like and I couldn't believe that you hadn't told Lucky about his son. Then when you brought Helena out and went on this big diatribe on how I was responsible for Lucas being sick and his father not being with him I realized that Lucky knew about Lucas, and proved once again just how much of a Spencer he really is and had ignored his son."

Leaning back, she looked at her sister sadly and said, "I'd feel sorry for you for having to deal with the fact that the Spencer men are nothing but a bunch of selfish, overgrown children, but I just can't. Not when you conspired with a woman to steal my son and kill me. Tell me what exactly I did to you to deserve that?"

The older woman said nothing, just stared defiantly at Elizabeth who could only sigh and shake her head. "I know, I know...I was simply there, wasn't I? I was born and took Mom and Dad's attention away from you? I was a thorn in your side. Blah, blah, blah. Whatever excuses you've come up with, they are just that, Sarah; excuses. You are an adult, you have a child, and yet you are just like another person I know who blames everyone else for her life and her unhappiness and refuses to accept any responsibility for herself."

Elizabeth took a breath and then studied her sister, noting the faded demin shirt with a black number stenciled onto the left side. The paleness of her sister's face, the limpness of her hair and couldn't seem to find pity for the woman. Prison was a miserable place, and it would only get worse. But Elizabeth knew that her sister was there, not because she had driven the older woman there, but because of Sarah's selfishness. It didn't have to be that way, and Elizabeth had never liked the fights they had, but Sarah could never be content with her life. She seemed to have this ingrained desire to make Elizabeth miserable and unhappy.

Elizabeth really didn't know why her sister seemed to dislike her so much, and she no longer really cared. She was tired fighting with Sarah and wondering why her older sister that she'd once looked up to and wanted to be like, didn't like her. She was no longer the little girl feeling left out and inadequate because of Sarah's dismissal of her. She had found her own place in life, and had found people who loved her, and Sarah's actions no longer left her feeling that somehow the failure was hers. This was all on Sarah. Her actions had led her to this place, and while it was regrettable that Lucky had ignored his child, it wasn't Elizabeth's fault. And the actions Sarah had taken couldn't be laid at Elizabeth's feet.

She had come here to let her sister go completely. She would testify at Sarah's trial, but she would never visit the other woman again. And she wouldn't feel guilty that Sarah was here and wasn't with Lucas as he recovered. Sarah's choices had led to her incarceration, and she would have to live with not being a part of her child's life because of her behavior.

Slowly tracing her finger over the worn table top, she let out a breath and said, "The fact is, Sarah, there is nobody to blame for your life but you. You never told Steven or me about Lucas. You conspired with a mad woman and a serial killer to take my children away from me and are actually surprised that Helena double-crossed you. You thought you were saving your child, and as a mother, there is a part of me that can feel empathy for your fear. But it's wiped out by everything that I and my children went through because of you."

"What you went through," her sister snorted. "You're living in your home with your sons and a man you absolutely do not deserve. What about me? I can't see my son. They won't let me visit him. His father is in jail. I don't know where Lucas is, who has him..he was so sick, Lizzie. You don't know what it's like."

Incredulous at Sarah's comments she asked, "I don't know what it's like to sit by my child's bed and watch him die? Are you kidding me, Sarah? I know you've always been selfish, but this takes the cake. You and I...we both watched our children suffer. I watched my son die. And yours is alive. I went through months of fear and worry when Jake was missing. I rode in a van with men who were going to take me to a remote location to kill me and Cameron and bury our bodies so we'd never be found. Sometimes I still don't know how I escaped, but I knew that I was not going to give up without a fight. Don't act like you're the put upon victim here, Sarah. You heard what Helena was going to do and all you did was scream at her for not letting you get Aiden tested; you simply didn't care."

She stood and leaned over her sister and said, "Don't tell me what I do or don't deserve in my life. I live in a house with two frightened boys who mourn their dead brother and are afraid that they'll once again be taken. You think I don't deserve Jason because you're all alone and Lucky's locked up in jail?"

With a laugh she shrugged her shoulders, "You know what I say to that? Oh well. You made choices, Sarah, and now you have to live with the consequences. You'll spend years in jail, away from your son, hoping and praying someone from the Spencer family will step up and love him."

"While you have Gram and Steven bending over and kissing your boots and ignoring my son just to keep you happy," the other woman sneered.

"No," she said. "Gram, despite what we don't want to face, is old, Sarah. And she's raised her children and she helped with us and she can't take on Lucas. Steven and I aren't even sure how much longer she will be able to live on her own. Lucas needs some very specialized, full-time care right now and Steven is looking in on him and making sure he's healthy, but he's Chief of Staff and he's single and he's not able to foster your son. He would have to give up his job, or drastically reduce his hours and then would no longer have the means to provide for them. It's selfish of you to expect him to."

"And you certainly won't take him."

"No," she said, ignoring her sister's scorn, "because I'm not ready. I will not blame him for your mistakes, but I am still dealing with Aiden's death and Jake needs my attention to help him recover from the time he was held. Right now, Bobbie is feeling guilt over what happened and between her and Leslie, they're determined to make up for Lucky's mistakes and are helping with him. Lucas has family in his life, but it won't be the Webbers, and we certainly can't take him full-time."

Straightening, she tugged her shirt back to her waist and said, "And this will be the last time this Webber ever sees you again. I won't look at you when I testify against you; I won't give you that satisfaction. When I walk out this door, I will be walking to the man who loves me and our children. We will face our life together; putting it back together after you helped tear it apart. If we think of you, it will be distantly and certainly not fondly. You will be nothing to us. But I'm sure you'll think of us as you're locked up in here. You'll hate us and curse us and be bitter and jealous of what we have. And I can't stop you from feeling that way, but I will certainly never give you the amount of thought that I know you'll give me. Because I'll have my life, Sarah."

She turned away and made it to the door, then looked back over her shoulder. "You did your best to destroy it, but you didn't. And I won't waste any more of my time on you. I'm going home to my family and the man who loves me."

Looking around at the gray walls and dingy lighting she lifted a brow, "This is what you have to look forward to. I hope you're happy."

Then Elizabeth walked out and didn't look back. As the doors closed behind her, as the guards walked past her, as she stepped out of the jail her sister would stay in until her trial sent her to prison, Elizabeth didn't look back. When she stepped outside, she closed her eyes, taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly. It was over, and now she could finally move forward and know that she'd put everything behind her that needed to stay there.




Jason looked up when the door opened and Elizabeth stepped into the house. He'd known from her guards that she was on her way home, but they hadn't given him any indication of her mood. He'd wanted to ask, but had refrained. They weren't there to tell on her demeanor, they were there to keep her safe, and it was up to him to determine how she was feeling and what he could do to help her.

He waited until she stepped off the landing and into the family room, looking around, before walking towards and into his arms. Her voice was muffled against his shirt as she said, "Hey."

"Hey," he returned softly, bringing his hand up to smooth over her back. "How are you?"

"A bit numb," she confessed, "but I don't regret it. It's done. I told her how I feel. So now when I face her in court, I just have to tell the jury what happened. I don't have to confess my hurt to her; I don't even have to look at her."

He didn't expect Sarah Webber to be repentant for what she'd done to his family, so he didn't even ask. He focused on holding the woman he loved, helping her and giving her the support she so desperately needed right now. Continuing to smooth his hand over her back, he kissed her hair and just held her as tight as she could. She didn't want to talk, she didn't want him to ask her questions, she just wanted to get as close to him as she possibly could and take all the strength he was offering.

A horn on the street startled her and she stepped back, but not out of his embrace. Her eyes were sad, but weren't filled with tears; she'd cried enough over her sister and had given all she could. He watched as her eyes softened, a light that he loved entering them and one corner of her mouth lifted as she said, "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"It's done," she said. "I told her that I was done. I told her that she would have to face what she'd done, but I was done."

"And now it's over."

With a nod, she agreed. "It is. We have the trials, and we'll still have to help Jake adjust to being back with us, but it's getting better."

Jason closed his eyes and rested his cheek on her hair. "It is."

Winding her arms tighter around him, she stepped close again, but it wasn't born of a desperate desire for strength or seeking peace. It was from contentment with where they were, and feeling able to deal with it.

"I think he's feeling better," Elizabeth said softly. "A little more secure. The nightmares seem less; the fear that he won't see us again isn't as strong."

"He's outside with James and Lottie right now," he told her, "and the guards are on the perimeter. But when your guards called and said you were coming home, he was okay when I told him I was going to wait for you in the house. He didn't cry, he didn't cling to me, he didn't look like he didn't believe I wouldn't come back. He paused for a moment, looked at Cam, looked at me and then nodded."

Her breath warmed his shirt and he felt her shoulders release some tension. "I'm so glad. He seems to be accepting it better."

"But you need to see him," he said with understanding. "And he needs to see you. He needs to understand that you said you'd come back, and you did."

"Yes," she nodded against his chest.

"Then let's go see our son, Elizabeth," he told her, pulling back to look at her. "But first."

Lowering his head, Jason moved with slow deliberateness and brushed his lips across hers. She didn't retreat, she didn't shy away, she stayed with him and returned the pressure, slowly showing her love for him.

"I love you," he told her when they pulled back.

"I love you, too."

Taking her hand, he pulled her along as he walked backwards. "Come on...let's go see Jake and Cam."

They made their way silently through the kitchen and out into the backyard. Jake had been facing the door and as soon as he saw them, he left his brother and ran straight for them. "Mommy!"

Cam turned and began running as well. "Mommy!"

Jake was monopolizing Elizabeth, but the older boy managed to push his way in and she hugged them both as she knelt down.

"You came back," Jake said as he laid his head on her shoulder.

"I always will," she told him, kissing his light blond hair. She turned and gave Cam a kiss as well, but then let him go when he squirmed.

The older boy stepped closer to Jason and hugged his leg, prompting the older man to crouch down beside him. Cam leaned against him and then gave him a hug. "Thank you," he said. "For helping us know Mommy would come back. And for staying."

"I'll always stay, Cam," he promised, pressing his own kiss to the little boy's short curls. "I will always stay with my family."

"We are," the boy nodded. "We're family."

"We are," Jason confirmed. One day, he'd adopt Cameron and marry Elizabeth and make official what they'd become. But for now, right now as he held his family in his arms, he knew it was enough. They would help Jake and Cameron heal, and then they would move onto the next part. For right now, the love they had was enough.

The End



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