Previous Page

Chapter 105

~General Hospital~

Sonny could feel everyone's eyes on him when he walked into the hospital. It was something he was used to and even when he pretended to ignore everyone around him, he was always aware of them. Every look, every whisper, every time someone turned to avoid him, he knew them all. He used to revel in it because he took it as confirmation of his power. People knew who he was, and they knew not to upset him or ignore him.

Now, as he walked into the hospital, he knew that everyone was staring and whispering because he'd been gone from town for months. While he was gone the truth about Kristina had come out and Alexis had disappeared. Now the pair was back, his daughter was in the hospital and he had returned home. People were probably commenting on the scandal and what would happen between the mob boss and his former lawyer.

Sonny acted as he always did and didn't acknowledge the murmurs that followed in his wake. He boarded the elevator with his guard and went to the floor he knew Alexis' room was on. He wanted her to know he was back in town and he would see his daughter. He wasn't going to fight with her, but he was not going to let her keep him from Kristina.

As he stepped off the elevator and turned for Alexis' room, he frowned when he didn't see the guard in the hallway that should have been there. When Sonny reached the room and saw it was empty he put his hands on his hips and looked around. Turning, he looked at his guard and went to the elevator. She was probably at Kristina's room, he told himself; at least she better be.

Stepping off on the pediatric floor, he got more curious looks from patients and staff, but he ignored them. He wanted to see his daughter and that was his focus. As he neared Kristina's room he saw two guards in the hallway and they immediately straightened when they saw his approach. He looked through the window and saw Alexis sitting by their daughter's bed, smoothing one hand over the little girl's hair while talking to her. Stopping in the doorway he knocked gently on the open door.

Alexis spun around and her eyes widened in pure panic when she saw him. "Sonny; what you doing here?"

"I found out my daughter was in the hospital," he said and her eyes narrowed when he said my daughter. "When Jason told me you guys were in town and he assigned men to protect you from Helena I began making plans to come back and see you. Then when I got word about the fire I flew back last night."

Walking into the room and standing by the bed across from Alexis, he looked down at his daughter. She was small, but beautiful with big, brown eyes that stared up at him curiously.

"She's gorgeous," he said softly, falling in love with her immediately. Then looking at Alexis he asked, "Is she okay? With the fire...there aren't any problems like smoke inhalation?"

"No," his ex-lover shook her head, her eyes softened from their earlier hardness. "A few little scratches, but mostly they were keeping us for observation. They said we could go home today."

"Will you go to Wyndemere?" he asked.

"Probably," she answered hesitantly. "Nikolas has offered since our house really isn't habitable."

"What happened?" he asked, keeping his voice light and non-accusatory.

"I don't want to talk about it," she shook her head.

Sonny took a breath and told himself to remain calm. It would turn into an even bigger battle of wills with Alexis if he got angry with her. Plus, it would not be good to fight in Kristina's room. His daughter did not need that.

"You tricked the men who were there to keep you safe," he said. His voice was deliberate, but he strove to keep anger out of it. "Then you deliberately lured Helena to your house. You and Nikolas used my men to do your dirty work because neither of you could take care of Helena. One of my men is in the hospital recovering from a gunshot wound and surgery. You can't just say you don't want to talk about it, Alexis."

"I can," she retorted. "You're a mobster, Sonny; don't act so outraged."

"Don't claim moral superiority on me, Alexis," he replied pointedly, even as he kept his voice even. "Not after lying to me about my daughter and then taking off."

"I didn't want Kristina to be in danger," she said, keeping her voice purposefully light for their little girl, even though Sonny could hear pleading desperation in it.

"I think the reason for you being in the hospital proves just how shortsighted you were," he responded. Looking down at the little girl who was picking up on the tension in the room and volleying her gaze between them with wide eyes, he sighed. He could sense she was getting upset and Sonny gave her a smile and brushed his hand over her hair. "You're going to be okay, sweetheart."

Looking up at Alexis he said, "I don't want to fight with you. I just want to get to know my daughter and I want you guys to be safe."

"Helena's dead," she protested and he could mentally see her digging her heels in.

"People know she's my daughter," he pointed out. "She'll need to be protected."

"Guards for the rest of her life?" she asked, panic infusing her words.

"We can talk about this later," he shook his head, gazing back down at Kristina. "I don't want to upset her."

He sat down beside his daughter and placed his hand by hers on the bed and looked at Alexis. "Right now, I just want to get to know my daughter."

"You can wait with us until we're released," Alexis grudgingly agreed. "After that, I want to get her settled in at Wyndemere, but perhaps we can talk later."

"Tonight?" he asked.

She shook her head. "I think we're both going to be tired. Maybe tomorrow."

Sonny wasn't entirely happy, but he knew he'd pushed Alexis as far as he could for right now. It was still going to be a battle for her to agree to let him see Kristina and assign guards to protect her. For now, he was simply going to enjoy being with his daughter and committing his first time with her to memory.

~Harborview Towers~

Courtney was not happy as she glared at the guard while she demanded, "What do you mean I can't go upstairs?"

"Orders, Miss Matthews," the man stated unapologetically.

"What do you mean orders? I want to see my nephew," she insisted.

"You're not family," he pointed out. "Mr. Corinthos isn't here and he says he must be here if you want to visit."

"Why?" she demanded, placing her hands on her hips.

"You'll need to speak with Mr. Corinthos," the guard answered.

"Well, where is he?" she asked.

The frustrating man shook his head. "I can't tell you. You'll need to call Mr. Corinthos and arrange a time to see him."

"I want to talk to him now," Courtney insisted. When the guard didn't react beyond the slight lift of his brow she placed her hand on the counter and said, "I want to talk to my ex-husband Jason Morgan."

The guard was slow in responding, but finally he lifted the phone and said, "I'll see if he's available."

Turning away, she silently fumed as she listened to the man ask Jason if he could meet with Miss Matthews. Once she had commanded respect from these men because she was Jason's wife and Sonny's sister. It seemed like it all changed after Carly died. Sam had Sonny's child, Jason started taking care of Elizabeth Webber again and this time she brought a child with her. Courtney had always known Elizabeth had never given up on Jason and she probably couldn't wait to flaunt her kid in his face and offer him up to have in his house and help raise since Courtney hadn't given Jason a child.

"Thank you, Mr. Morgan," the guard said, and then hung up the phone. Courtney turned around and looked at him expectantly.

"Mr. Morgan will be down in a moment," he said and gestured to a couch and chairs to the side. "You can have a seat if you want."

Then he went back to scanning the monitors in front of him and Courtney had been dismissed to wait in the lobby. She hadn't been cleared to go upstairs, but then as she thought about it she realized perhaps it was better. Months ago she had seen Jason, Elizabeth and her son go off on a family moment to buy a Christmas tree. Elizabeth and the boy were probably living with Jason now and replacing Courtney in the penthouse. She really didn't want to see the physical proof of that.

While she and Jason were over and she knew she could never fool herself again into thinking she could accept his life, she really didn't want to see her replacement in the home she'd shared with him. Especially since it was Elizabeth Webber. Courtney had seen too much of their history, had heard both Jason and Elizabeth claim they were over the other person even when she hadn't believed it, and it had hurt to have her ex-husband get involved with Elizabeth so quickly. She didn't want to see toys all over the penthouse, especially since she couldn't have that herself.

Dr. Meadows had run some tests, had sent her to a fertility specialist and the dire news had been delivered. They could try artificial insemination, but there were no guarantees it would work. Greater success might come with in vitro, but again, it wasn't guaranteed. They would need to do tests to see if her eggs were viable, and if they weren't then Courtney could consider hiring a surrogate, who would also need to be an egg donor. Or perhaps, it was suggested, she should look into adoption. But not being married placed her lower in priority than couples, and while Jax seemed like he was supportive of her efforts, he hadn't made any statements to indicate he wanted to be part of the process. She sometimes wondered if his involvement with her was only because of her once being thought of as Sonny's sister. Or maybe it was merely like he said, his meeting with his brother and other investors was completely occupying his time and leaving them less time together than they'd had before.

She was pulled from her rather depressing thoughts by the elevator's, and Jason's, arrival. He stepped off, spotted her, and walked towards her, everything in his demeanor indicating he did not want to be down here dealing with her. She stood when he stopped near her and tucked his hands into his pockets.

"Rafe said you wanted to see me," he stated flatly, but in a bit of a rush.

"I wanted to see Sonny," she replied. "Because I wanted to see Morgan. I heard that Sonny and his children came back last night and I wanted to see how everyone was."

"Sonny's not here right now," her ex-husband stated in his frustrating, non-sharing manner. "I'll tell him you want to talk to him."

"Where is he?" she asked. "And why was I stopped down here?"

He looked over at the door that led to the street and then said, "You'll need to talk to Sonny. It's really between the two of you."

"Do you even care?" she asked him, stopping him when she sensed he was about to turn and walk away from her. "I may not be Morgan's aunt, but he is my godson and I love him. Carly was my best friend and I miss her."

"I know," he said, his eyes once again shifting to the door leading to the street. "But Sonny is Morgan's father and you'll need to talk to him."

The door opened and Courtney looked over, even though she knew it wouldn't be Sonny; he would come up through the garage and wouldn't even stop in the lobby. A man with sandy brown hair and reading glasses hooked onto the front of his shirt walked in and Jason let out a breath as soon as he saw him.

"Steven," he said, moving towards the other man.

"Jason," the other man greeted him. "Is she upstairs?"

Her ex-husband nodded. "Yeah. Sam's with her. The bleeding's slowed, but I'd feel better knowing you took a look at her. She says she doesn't need stitches, but you're the doctor."

"I'll take a look," Steven promised Jason. "My sister has never liked needles; that's probably why she's trying to avoid stitches."

Courtney couldn't help watching the man as he boarded the elevator, and then she looked over at Jason who was obviously worried, but not with her. No, his attention was for the woman upstairs in their old penthouse. When he looked back at her his face was totally closed off. He didn't look at her with annoyance, but he didn't have the same level of respect and friendliness that he had for the doctor who just left.

"I guess I've been replaced by everyone," she said with a shake of her head. "Elizabeth is living with you, her brother gets to go right up, and I get stopped down here."

Jason sighed and looked down, and then completely avoided her statement by saying, "I'll tell Sonny you came by."

"Will he even let me see Morgan?" she wondered.

"That's his decision," he stated with a bit of a shrug. "Morgan's going to see Bobbie now that they're back; Sonny isn't denying him having family and people in his life, but I'm sure he'll tell you what he told Bobbie. Sonny doesn't want people bad-mouthing Sam in front of Morgan. She's his sister's mother and she's around...anything you want to say to Sonny, you say it to him. Not Morgan."

"Then tell Sonny I was here and have him call me whenever he has a free moment between seeing all his other children and visiting their mothers. Because that's where he is, isn't he? He's visiting Kristina and Alexis at the hospital." She shook her head at him, "It would have killed Carly to find out he had another child with another woman."

Jason pressed his lips together but said nothing. Instead, he took a step towards the elevator. "I need to go. I need to see how Elizabeth is."

"Right," she nodded, feeling the beginning of tears burning at her eyes. "And I'm keeping you from her. Did I do that years ago, Jason? Keep you from Elizabeth? Every time I saw you two together...it was never just friends."

"That wasn't true," he shook his head, turning back to face her. "Our marriage didn't work for a lot of reasons, Courtney. But it wasn't because of Elizabeth."

He paused for a moment and then said, "You should hear this from me; I've asked Elizabeth to marry me. And I'm going to adopt Cameron."

"I...I see," Courtney said weakly, taking a step back. "I...I can't say I'm surprised. I guess I wonder why you waited so long. Tell Sonny I want to talk to him."

Then she walked away, numb with the pain that hit her at Jason's announcement. She walked for several blocks before she realized she'd left her car back at the building, but instead of going back for it she hailed a cab. She'd get her car later; she couldn't go back there today.

~Jason's Penthouse~

"There's my patient," Steven smiled with a laugh as he walked into the penthouse.

Elizabeth groaned and rolled her eyes at his obvious delight in teasing her. Sam looked at him and then back to Elizabeth when she said. "Sam, this is my brother Steven. Steven, this is Sam. She has a little girl with Sonny named Sophia; Cam likes her, but he plays more with her older brother Morgan."

"Hi," Steven greeted her warmly, even in the face of Elizabeth explaining the situation to him. He sat down on the coffee table in front of the two women.

"Hi," Sam returned. Looking at Elizabeth she asked, "Do you want me to stay?"

"No," she shook her head. "I'll be fine, and Jason will probably be back soon. Could you make sure Cam's okay? He was a little scared when I fell and started bleeding."

She immediately nodded, "Of course. Leticia will probably be happy for another set of hands."

"Thank you," Elizabeth grit out through a wince as Steven began inspecting her knee and pressing on the tender flesh.

"You sure you'll be okay?" her friend asked, settling her hand on Elizabeth's arm.

"Yeah," she nodded. "I don't know what Courtney wants, but I'm sure he won't be long."

"Is that her name?" Steven asked, looking up at her. "He looked rather annoyed with whoever he was talking to down in the lobby."

"Yeah, that's Courtney," Sam said. "If he's not back soon, call me and I'll go down. I'll give her an easy target to yell at and Jason can get back up to you."

"Thanks for the offer," Elizabeth said, "but I don't think it'll be necessary. There's no way Jason will put up with her for long."

Plus, Elizabeth didn't want Sam to have to put herself into that situation. She was correct; Courtney would turn her anger about Sam having Sonny's baby and hurting Carly on her, and she knew Jason's ex-wife would be mean. Even with the guards down in the lobby keeping watch over the situation. No, Sam didn't need to put up with that. If Jason didn't get back soon, she'd just call down to the front desk and tell them to send Jason up.

"Take care then," the other woman said encouragingly, and then winced just as Elizabeth did when Steven hit a tender spot.

"Thank you, Sam," she told her. Then she looked at her brother and wasn't buoyed by his expression. "How bad is it?"

"It's not bad," he told her. "You probably would be fine without stitches, but since I'm here I'm going to put in a couple. That will help it heal quicker and keep infection at bay."

She frowned at him, "Steven, I don't want to have to deal with stitches."

With a reassuring smile he shook his head, "These are different from the ones dad put in your chin. These will dissolve and you don't have to worry about not getting them wet, although it would be better to keep them covered."

The door opened and Jason stepped in, his frustration that hadn't disappeared on the elevator ride up clear on his face. But it immediately slid to concern when he saw them. "Are you okay?"

"She'll be fine," Steven answered. "I'm just going to put in a couple of stitches since I'm here. This would probably be better in a bathroom."

"We can go the master bath," her fiancé declared. Then he moved towards her with every intention of picking her up. Steven stood and grabbed his bag as he moved out of the way and Elizabeth groaned with embarrassment at the situation.

"I can walk," she protested.

"Humor me," her brother said. "I was going to order you to ice it and stay off your feet for the rest of the day. Elevate it and all that."

As they went up the stairs he asked, "So how did this happen? I thought you outgrew your clumsy phase, Lizbits."

"Except when I don't see there's a toy on the ground, step on it and slip while holding Cameron and go down hard to avoid falling on him. Got the corner of the credenza coming out of the kitchen," she explained.

"Cam was okay?" Steven asked, all teasing gone from his voice.

"A little startled by the bumpy ride," Jason said as they walked into the bathroom. "I took him next door after making sure he was okay."

"To Sam," her brother nodded. When Jason set her on the counter he declared in his doctor's voice, "Alright. Let's clean this up, I'll give you a shot to numb it and then stitch you. I can take a look at Cam if you want. And then I want to see his cool room."

Elizabeth smiled at her brother, remembering their conversation at their grandmother's. "Thank you, Steven."

He smiled up at her tenderly. "Sure thing, Elizabeth. Now listen, I'm going to write you a script for antibiotics, and one for pain if you need it. If you're fine with icing it, or putting heat on it and using over the counter stuff, then that's great. Just don't ignore it if the swelling gets worse or the pain doesn't go away after a couple of days. You are going to have some nasty and colorful bruises for a while."

Then his cheeks pinked slightly and he stared studiously at her knee. "And with the antibiotics...if you're on the pill...you uh, you should use a back-up method."

She felt her own face flush and looked at Jason who looked just as uncomfortable as the siblings. "Oh...o-okay. Right."

"Jason," Steven spoke up, his voice stronger.

"Y-yeah?"

"Don't let my sister watch this," the doctor instructed, clearly moving on. "Elizabeth has never liked needles and once fainted when they took her blood."

"I'm not that bad anymore," she protested. All the same, she didn't look down but focused instead on Jason. She had taken care of him and never felt faint when she saw his blood. It was the needles that bothered her.

"Have you decided on a party for Cam?" her brother asked as he worked. "He may not remember it, but you need pictures of his first birthday. You guys will look back and remember them and be happy you did. It's even better when they get all messy with the cake. Besides, I want to see the next generation with strawberry shortcake. You were hilarious when you tasted the strawberries the first time, but you wore the whipped cream with glee. Mom and Dad had to give you a bath to get you clean afterwards."

He looked up at them and smiled, "Your kids have to carry on the tradition, Lizbits. So might as well start with Cam; do it right."

Elizabeth looked at Jason and smiled, envisioning the scene in her head even if she refused to fully let herself think about doing this again with other kids. She just wanted to focus on Cam and think about the future later. "Yeah," she said with a nod, "We're definitely going to have a party for Cameron."

Chapter 106

~Sonny's Penthouse~

Sonny sat with Morgan and Sophia in their room, reading them a story before bed and smiling as their eyes drooped with sleepiness. Morgan was curled up on his bed, his favorite blanket and toy tucked tightly in his arm. The little boy played so hard during the day that by the time he finally agreed to get into bed he just collapsed. Sophia was finishing the last of her bottle and every once in a while fluttering her eyes open.

When the story was over he sat there for a few more minutes to make sure they were asleep. Easing the bottle out of Sophie's now slack mouth, he stood and placed her in her crib, making sure to cover her. Then he pulled the covers up over Morgan and ensured the nightlight and monitor were on. Then after giving them one last kiss he went downstairs where he hoped Sam would stood be and that she would actually talk to him now.

As he walked down the stairs he heard laughter from the kitchen and walked in to find Sam and Leticia laughing over something as they cleaned up the dishes from dinner. They moved with an ease and rhythm that indicated they had done this countless times. They finished and dried their hands and turned; Leticia went to the refrigerator and Sam went to leave but froze when she saw him standing there.

"I'll get Sophie's bottles and I'll get up with her tonight," Leticia offered.

"Sonny," Sam said softly.

"Was he going to take Sophie tonight?" the nanny asked as she turned to look at Sam. When she saw Sonny standing there her eyes opened wide and she said, "Mr. Corinthos."

"Hello, Leticia," he greeted her.

She grabbed the bottles from the refrigerator and quickly shuffled for the door. "I'll go check on the kids before I go to my room; I'll see you tomorrow."

Sam looked like she wanted to leave as well, or ask the other woman to stay, but she didn't. Letting out a breath, she leaned against the table and resigned herself to talk to Sonny. He didn't like that she was resigned to talking to him, and he told himself not to be upset about her reluctance. During his therapy he'd realized some things about his relationship with Sam. He just needed to be patient with her to get her to talk.

"Can we talk?" he asked, keeping his voice light so she wouldn't feel threatened. He could already sense she was skittish and trying to avoid him. He didn't want to make her feel trapped.

"Yeah," she nodded with a shrug. "I suppose."

He gestured towards the living room and waited for her to go ahead of him. She sat down in the corner of the sofa, pulling her legs up in front of her. She looked at him curiously and he knew he had to speak first.

"This is hard for you, isn't it?" he asked as he sat down at the other end of the couch. "Being here with me?"

She looked down; her silence her confirmation. Then Sam sighed and said, "I don't want to make this difficult on you, Sonny."

"Look," he said. "I've got lots of people looking out for me; don't be one of those. Don't think you can't speak because you have to protect me. Talk with me, Sam; tell me what you're feeling."

"This is hard," she said, shoving her hand through her hair as she looked away. "It's hard talking to you; it's hard being the mother of your child; it's hard to live with you; it's hard to love you and believe that you'll never love me in return. I wonder what kind of life I'll really have and I try not to be bitter or demanding. I just don't what to say to you, Sonny, or what to do."

"I think you did just fine," he told her, lifting the corner of his lip. "You were honest."

"We didn't begin the best way," she said with an awkward shrug as she looked back at him. "We hurt people, and we had bad reasons for sleeping together. I can't regret what happened because we had Sophia, but I can now see we did some things we shouldn't be proud of."

With a rough swallow he admitted, "You're right. I was looking to punish Carly. You were pretty...you are beautiful and you were easy to talk to. You understood my life and you weren't pushy or demanding like Carly. It was easy to be with you...but I'm not saying you're easy, I just mean that I didn't have to fight so hard like I always had to do with Carly."

She gave a small smile to say she understood him. "You're right. And that's what makes this hard. I remember being with you, how easy it was to love you...but it was built on all the wrong things. I worry if we try to build something new now...will it even work? It was sex and revenge and living in the moment...and while it was good and it's great memories..."

"Can it last now? Built on the right reasons?" Sonny asked, understanding her thoughts.

"Yeah," she agreed softly. "We slept together, we have a child, but really...what's our relationship?"

He let out a breath, rubbing his hand over his mouth. "Maybe we need to date," he suggested. "Or at least spend time together where we talk just about us."

Sam shrugged and looked away uncertainly. "Maybe."

"You don't really like the idea, do you?"

"It's just weird, Sonny," she told him with a shake of her head as she turned back to meet his gaze uncomfortably. "I'm living with you, I'm helping raise your son, and sometimes I wonder just how much we really know about each other. Can we survive in the aftermath of Carly's death, your illness and being co-parents? People in town think I'm a tramp who broke up your marriage and a pariah who's latched onto you for your money and I'm playing mommy to Morgan when his mother's barely cold in the grave."

Sonny knew it was unfair to her; even though he cheated on Carly and had a history of cheating, Sam was the one who was blamed. People would talk about her behind her back, or even openly to her face, and some would be cruel.

"I don't care what people say about me," she continued on, interrupting his thoughts. "But I don't want people to say anything about Sophie. I just...I want us to be careful."

"Then we will be," he assured her. "We'll start out slowly, small...time where it's just us. But I won't act like I'm ashamed of you, Sam. I won't hide this if it's going to go anywhere. I won't treat you, or let anyone say that you're just my dirty, little secret, my easy sex on the side and I'm ashamed to take you out into the light of day."

She bit her lip and blinked as she nodded. Then she said, "One other thing. I...I don't think we should sleep together. Let's make sure this is based on the right things if it's going to work...and last."

He nodded in agreement with her; they weren't ready for more. However, he couldn't deny she was beautiful, and he didn't feel that way only because he'd slept with her. He hoped he would be able to show her the restraint and respect she deserved until they were ready to move forward.

~Courtney's Foundation~

Courtney was annoyed when her phone buzzed and her assistant's voice sounded from the speaker. "Mr. Jacks is here to see you."

She paused for half a second and then replied, "Tell him I'm busy. Then ask him to set an appointment."

Picking up her pen, she went back to work even though she didn't think Jax would take the brush-off well. She wasn't surprised when her cell phone rang only moments later; he probably did that to bypass her assistant. Looking at the display screen she sighed and then flipped the phone open.

"I'm busy, Jax," she said.

"Courtney," he sounded surprised at her tone. "I thought we were meeting for dinner."

She flipped through her agenda. "I don't see that listed."

"It was meant to be a surprise." She could hear his grin through the phone as he poured on the charm.

With an exasperated sigh she said, "Get in here. I know you're out there."

Then she buzzed the woman in the front office and said, "Let him in when he comes back."

He would just keep pestering her and she knew if she saw him and told him face to face to leave that she'd finally be able to get some work done. Leaning back in her chair she waited for him to come in, but didn't react to his charming smile and twinkling eyes when he stepped into her office. As he neared, Jax finally seemed to realize that she wasn't going to greet him with excitement and he paused a moment before sitting down.

"Are you okay, Courtney?" he asked her solicitously.

"I'm busy, Jax," she told him tiredly. "This isn't some pastime for me or something I just play at. I'm committed to it; just like you're committed to your business. You travel to meet your brother and other investors or associates, and I have never interrupted your time when you've told me you're busy. I tell you I'm busy and you refuse to accept it. I'm just expected to be available whenever you decide to show interest in me."

"That wasn't-" he began to say but she cut him off.

"My entire life changed, Jax," she told him. "My father lied; he was told to get out of town and I was scared for his life. I thought I found family and now I've lost it. Sonny takes my foundation as an insult to him. My ex-husband looks at me with annoyance and then tells me he's going to marry Elizabeth Webber and adopt her son. Your interest in me waned once it was discovered that I'm not actually Sonny's sister. I think I amuse you and you sniffed around because there's nobody else you're interested in."

She looked at him pointedly. "That makes me feel so special, Jax."

Picking up her pen and leaning forward said, "Now, I'm busy. Unless you're serious about helping me, then you need to go. I'm tired of being your little diversion. Frankly, I deserve better and I'm not going to take it anymore. If this was just a way to stick it to Jason or Sonny or just a way to get into my pants then I'm putting a stop to it. If you really want to help, then show me that. And if you're serious about us, then show me that. Otherwise, I'd like you to just take an advisory role in my foundation and have you be less hands on."

"Courtney," Jax said immediately in protest, "that isn't what I'm doing. I'm not trying to hurt you."

"Then imagine what you could do if you tried," she said sardonically. "I know you think I'm just a silly little girl who doesn't know what she's doing, but I'm serious about this. I'm tired of you treating me like it's a joke or giving it whatever spare minutes you have. Perhaps I need to hire a more focused advisor; someone who's only focused on helping my vision grow and not give it his leftover attention."

"You don't need to replace me," he told her.

"I think I need to think about this some more," she said seriously. "But for now, I've got work to do. I plan to order in, so I can't join you for dinner tonight."

She focused back on her work, and Jax finally took the hint and left. When he closed the door behind him, she lowered her pen and sighed.

~Jax's Penthouse~

Jax heaved a sigh as he opened the door and stepped inside his penthouse. He hadn't quite expected Courtney's reaction tonight. She had been unsettled with all that had happened to her lately and he had tried to be supportive, but things had changed. Finding out she was not Sonny's sister had been a disappointment.

Even when Corinthos was not happy with her foundation and the reason she created it, he had believed she was family. Family was important to the mobster, and he would have continued to let Courtney be around him because of that. Her concern and love for her nephew would have been hers, and his, access pass. Because he was dating Courtney, Jax would have been invited to events, and that was what he'd wanted.

Corinthos might acknowledge Courtney as Morgan's godmother, but she would not be family. Her access would be limited, which meant his opportunities would be limited. Had she still be Corinthos' sister he would have offered to help her have a child and been more supportive as she talked about everything; for Corinthos would have been forced to deal with him as the father of his niece or nephew. Instead, it had been discovered that Courtney was not Sonny's sister, and Jax's plan had been derailed.

Now he was stuck advising her on her business and still putting in some effort on their relationship. Courtney was pretty, in a plebian sort of way; she was certainly not the beauty that Brenda or Chloe were, or the European beauties or models he was used to having on his arm. She was fun and diverting when she wasn't forcing herself to be so pious and serious. But he was beginning to feel she was more effort than payoff as the new plan was being formulated. Although, he mused, she would be useful and handy to have around as an alibi when things went down.

He was just pouring himself a drink when his phone rang. He hoped it wasn't Courtney calling to say she changed her mind, even though he'd force himself to head back out so as to not completely anger and alienate her. A smile crossed his lips, though, when he saw the caller I.D. "Jax."

"Hello, little brother. Fancy a trip?"

~Cassadine Jet~

Once again they were leaving town, but this time Nikolas wasn't even going to pretend that he would be coming back. Everyone knew the truth about Kristina and with Sonny visiting her in the hospital Alexis had declared it was time to leave. She knew Sonny would want visitation rights with their daughter, and he would probably go to court if she refused. Because she had accepted guards and Jason Morgan's men had killed Helena, she wouldn't be able to claim that danger only came from Sonny. Even if they tried to argue that the elimination of Helena helped their case and Sonny remained the greater danger.

Sonny Corinthos was just going to have to make due with the children he had or go have more, but he was not going to be part of Kristina's life. Now that Helena was dead and Nikolas could fully exercise his right and power as the Cassadine prince without worrying about her, he intended to take his proper place in Greece. The private island was secure and the Greek government really had no authority there; as long as Alexis and Kristina were discreet whenever they left the island they would be safe and free.

Sonny Corinthos would not be able to watch the island continuously, and there were simply too many ways to get on and off the island for him to cover them all. Sonny would not be able to get at Alexis or Kristina there, and Nikolas suspected it would drive Sonny crazy. However, the prince didn't care. The mobster may be used to getting his way but it wouldn't happen this time. Alexis didn't want Kristina to grow up under the weight of his violence and his bad influence and Nikolas intended to support his aunt.

Leaving Port Charles to return to Greece permanently felt a little odd. He'd come to save his sister and stayed to know his family. He'd gained a chance to know his mother, something he'd always longed for, and gained a brother. He also made friends and fell in love, so he'd been happy to stay. He saw another side of life away from the insane control of Helena; he'd found the humanity Stefan had tried to give him in the insanity of the Cassadines.

Those noble goals were now gone. In the recovery of his memories, he found a disconnect to that humanity. He did not want to be callous and evil like Helena, but he was not the kind, noble prince anymore. He lived by the Cassadine creed of focusing only on him and those he deemed important. He'd wanted Jason to kill Helena, and he was glad she was dead.

The PCPD was not happy with all that had happened with Alexis at her house and out at Wyndemere, but Nikolas was not a man who broke under displeasure. The police wanted him to admit hat he went to Morgan instead of them to protect Kristina because he wanted Helena dead. Nikolas had merely sat in the station with Alexis at his side and said nothing beyond the fact that he asked Sonny's men to guard Sonny's daughter; he didn't have a very high opinion of the cops considering Lucky's ineptitude.

Mac had not liked that crack, but there was nothing the cops could do to prove the prince had hoped to arrange his grandmother's death. Morgan gave a statement and while Nikolas didn't know exactly what was said, Mac had divulged enough for him to piece it together. Morgan said that they'd honored Alexis' request to protect her and Sonny's daughter; they went out to Wyndemere because Nikolas had called them and after what had happened at Alexis' house earlier that night they'd gone to help him.

The enforcer had left it up to Nikolas to provide the explanations and take responsibility for the events. Nikolas wouldn't let Jason or his men take the blame for what happened, but he wasn't going to break down and give the cops a confession just because they wanted it. He knew they would bluster and posture, but there was nothing they could actually charge him with. Not unless someone spoke up; he knew Morgan and his men wouldn't say what really happened, and neither would Nikolas.

So the police would be angry that he left, but they could not prevent him from leaving the country. They might not want him to, they might even see if they could get him to come back, but Alexis assured him that they could not force him to stay, nor could they force him to return. He believed his aunt, even if he suspected she might have her own motivation for what she told him. But it did not really matter if the cops were angry or looked into extradition. Just as Sonny would not be able to get at Kristina on the island, neither could the PCPD touch him on his private island.

Nikolas and his family were returning to Greece, and he intended to take up his rightful place. He felt that he should care about Lulu, Leslie and his mother; he had been made guardian over Laura's care after all. But he could care for them perfectly fine while maintaining residence in Greece, and perhaps he would invite them to visit him if they wanted. But it was very unlikely he would ever set foot in Port Charles again.

Chapter 107

~Jason's Penthouse~

Jason opened the door and greeted Sonny. "Come on in. Elizabeth is about to head over to see Sam, but Cam knocked his cereal bowl over on her this morning and she had to go change."

"No problem," Sonny assured him. "I'm going to head to the hospital to see Kristina. I trust you to run things, Jason, but I appreciate you keeping me informed about what's happening."

They both looked up when they heard a door close upstairs, and then they heard the uneven steps of Elizabeth's limp. Jason firmed his jaw and Sonny lifted his brow. "Is she okay?"

"She says she's fine," he answered, not very convinced. "The swelling has gone down, but it's still sore."

"Then it's probably a good thing she'll have Sam and Leticia to help her today," his friend stated.

"She's going to have Sam help her plan Cameron's birthday party," his friend nodded. "Give them something to do."

"A party?" Sonny asked, looking over as Elizabeth made her way down the stairs. She was awkward since her knee was stiff, but she'd promised Jason she would sit and put her leg up and he wanted her to have help while he was gone today.

"You only turn one once," she smiled, and then it faded as she gaped at Sonny. "Oh...I-I'm sorry."

The older man looked down for a moment and said, "It's okay. We did something for Morgan, but I know I'll have to do something special this year; especially with everything that's happened."

"He could share Cam's party," Elizabeth offered. "He won't understand why Cam gets cake and presents and he doesn't."

"No," he shook his head. "This is Cameron's day. That's very kind, and generous, but this is Cam's party."

"I plan to have gift bags," she said stubbornly. "So he'll have things to play with and take home."

"Then that will be fine for him," Jason's friend replied back equally as stubborn. "What about food...can I make anything?"

Elizabeth laughed gently. "Sonny, they're children. I was thinking of doing some finger foods so they didn't have just sugar, but they'll really only care about the cake and ice cream. Maybe you could help me with that."

"I will," he agreed immediately. "Along with some food for us to eat."

She sighed and shifted slightly. "You won't give that up, will you?"

"Nope," he smiled back brightly. "So what cake do you want? Something rich and chocolate?"

She laughed along with him and Jason, knowing it was the obvious choice, but shook her head. "Actually...it needs to be strawberry shortcake. Now, I can bake chocolate, but I don't know the first thing about angel food cake unless it comes out of a box."

Sonny looked properly horrified as Elizabeth probably suspected when she mentioned it. "No," he shook his head. "I'll make your angel food cake for you. Can I ask why strawberry shortcake?"

"Tradition," Elizabeth said with a look over at Jason that made him think of future times this would be repeated. "I'd forgotten about it until my brother reminded me."

"Strawberries are tart," he pointed out cautiously.

"Apparently that's half the fun," Jason said, wrapping his arm around his fiancée's waist and stepping close to her. "Watching their face when they get their first taste, especially when it's contrasted with the sweet of the whipped cream. Then watching them smear strawberries and whipped cream all over the place, especially them. Elizabeth's family did that for each of their first birthdays."

Sonny smiled and nodded, "I understand, and I'll be happy to help out. But I think you should get off your feet now, or this guy over here is going to hand me Cameron and pick you up."

Jason still might do it; she was trying to hide it, but he could sense it was painful for her to stand for too long. Sonny held out his hands and Jason passed his son over, then tightened his grip around Elizabeth's waist and encouraged her to lean more fully against him. She looked up at him and smiled tenderly and even though she was in pain and he had things he needed to do, he just wanted to ask Sonny to leave and then go back upstairs with her and spend the day with her. He could see the strain around her eyes from her pain and the uncomfortable night she'd had, and hoped she would be able to rest and not feel like she had to do everything for Cam herself.

"Thank you," she said softly as she looked up at him. Then she looked at Sonny and said, "And thank you for offering to help out. Now, I'll take Cam, and let you guys talk."

"I'll carry him," both men offered simultaneously.

Elizabeth looked at them and arched her brow. "I can walk, and he can walk if I hold his hand. We'll be the perfect match in walking speed. There are two guards outside...I think we can manage to get across the hall. Even if he crawls we'll be fine."

Jason wanted to carry both of them, put her on the couch in Sonny's penthouse and make Sam and Leticia promise they wouldn't let her get up, but he knew Sonny was anxious to get to the hospital and there were things the two men needed to talk about. Elizabeth just made him want to do everything he could to take care of her, but he recognized the stubborn glint to her eye. This wasn't something to fight over, especially because she was getting better, even if she was still sore. He nodded to Sonny and they all walked to the door together. Sonny set Cam down and Elizabeth took the little boy's hand while Jason handed the packed diaper bag to the guard. He suspected that the man would help out more if he could find a way to, but he couldn't order his men to disregard Elizabeth's wishes just because it would make him happy.

Elizabeth smiled up at him and kissed his cheek. "I'll be fine. I'll see you later."

She looked down at Cam, "Say bye-bye to Daddy."

The little boy looked back at him and Jason smiled gently and returned his son's wave. Elizabeth smiled down at him and said brightly, "Come on; let's go see Morgan and Sophie."

Jason and Sonny stood and watched mother and son walk across the hall. Cameron was wobbly and unsteady on his feet, but Elizabeth was slow and patient with him. It would have been quicker if Jason had helped, but it would have made him miss this sight. Watching the two people he loved do something as simple walk hand-in-hand across a hallway. Finally, the pair made it to Sonny's penthouse and he let out a sigh and then turned back to his friend.

"They're good for you," the older man said. "It's clear how much you love them. If I'm ready to take over when you get married, then I'm going to let you have at least a month or more for your honeymoon. You deserve the time off after all you've done."

Jason was surprised by the offer, but couldn't focus on what they might do with the time because Spinelli had discovered something last night. They needed to talk about it so that Sonny could go see Kristina and Jason could go to the warehouse. He gestured to the couch and Sonny followed him.

"Thank you for the offer," he said. "We haven't really talked about the wedding, though. Right now, with all that's going on with the Zacharras and Craig..."

"You have men helping," his friend pointed out gently. "Elizabeth is understanding and patient, but don't put it off forever."

"We won't," Jason stated. "But for now, you need to know Jax and James Craig both made hotel reservations last night. Towns near each other, but not the same place. I've sent men to follow them; Craig is taking a flight, Jax called for his plan to be ready. Hopefully we can figure out what's going on with them."

"Anything on Zacharra?"

"Nothing yet," Jason shook his head. "Spinelli's digging and focusing on Trevor Lansing since all the rumblings we've heard are that he's the one making the decisions. We're looking for anything we can use to neutralize him."

"I hate him because of my mother," Sonny hissed out, clenching his fists. "So it's good you're dealing with this; you'll keep it focused and not let it get personal."

He paused for a moment and then asked, "Any thoughts if this is revenge for Ric?"

"I don't know," Jason shook his head. "I ordered Ric's death because I knew you wouldn't, but the things he'd done, Sonny...not just to Elizabeth, but Carly, and to you. He was a threat."

"I know," his friend nodded. "I should have let you take him out before, but he played the brother card. I just couldn't bring myself to kill my mother's son, even though I knew I couldn't trust him and he'd keep coming after me. It was wrong and it wasn't fair to you, or anyone else. So I'm glad you took care of him, and if his father is a threat then I don't care that he's connected to the Zacharras. We're good at arranging accidents; take the father out."

With a firm nod he agreed. "I'm not going to let him come after us. I just want to be cautious because of the rumors about Anthony Zacharra."

Sonny stood and placed his hand on Jason's shoulder. "You'll handle it; I trust you completely. You can talk to me if you want to, or need to discuss things, but you don't have to get my approval. This is your thing to handle."

"Thank you," the younger man said as he stood. He really felt Sonny was improving because it was a huge moment for his friend to state this trust and not try to seize control. "Now, go see Kristina."

The older man nodded and turned for the door. Jason rolled his shoulders to relieve the tension he felt and then gathered his gun and keys before leaving. He needed to meet Max at the warehouse and hoped it would be a quick meeting. As he looked over at Sony's door, he was anxious to get this done with so he could back to Elizabeth and their son.

~Wyndamere~

Sonny was in a bad mood when he stopped outside the monstrous front door and waited. He was trying to maintain control and not become consumed by anger, but he was undeniably not happy. He had tried to reach Alexis so he could see his daughter and speak to his former lawyer, but he was decidedly put off by the butler. Something was wrong and he knew he wouldn't get any answers over the phone so he made his way across the harbor to the island.

He'd known Alexis would be difficult in regards to their daughter, and he knew that he could not act like his normal self with her. He was using all the tricks and tips both of his doctors had taught him in their sessions in order to remain calm. Anger and threats would only cause Alexis to get defensive and even more insistent that he not be around Kristina at all. He had to remain calm and rational, not give into his temper or becoming demanding with her.

Thankfully he calmed down by the time the butler opened the door and there was a part of him that recognized the therapy was helping him. And he was sure he would need all his resources of patience and strength when he spoke to Alexis.

"May I help you, sir?" the stuffy, old butler asked after opening the door and looking disdainfully down his nose.

"Yes," Sonny nodded with a slight smile. "I would like to speak to Alexis. I realize it may not be what she prefers, but I want to talk to her about our daughter. I've missed so much time already with Kristina; I don't want to fight, I just want to see her."

"I'm sorry, Mr. Corinthos, but Miss Davis is not here," the man shook his head.

He took a breath and slowly released it. "Is she out on the grounds? I'll wait if it's possible."

Inside, he was angry and not at all surprised Alexis left after he'd called. For Kristina's sake he didn't want take this to the courts and have things get ugly, but he was not going to let Alexis keep him from his daughter. He wanted the chance to get to know the little girl, and he was not going to keep letting his daughter's mother put him off and claim he had no rights just because of his lifestyle.

"I'm sorry, sir," the older man said, his eyes giving something away even though he tried to conceal it. "But Miss Davis and Miss Kristina are out for the day."

"Really?" Sonny asked as he stepped forward. He strongly suspected the butler wouldn't actually physically bar him from the house. The men that Sonny had watching the island and the launches hadn't said anything about Alexis and Kristina leaving the island so Sonny believed that Alexis was home and just trying to keep him away even though he'd said he'd come by today. As expected, the man became agitated but didn't stop him. "I know we've just met, but I believe you would lie to me because Alexis asked you to. So I'm not really sure I believe you."

"Mr. Corinthos," the butler said, now trying to get in front of him. "Please, sir, I must ask that you leave."

Sonny opened the door before the older man could stop him, expecting to find Alexis and their daughter inside, and instead saw people packing up antiquities and crating up paintings. He had the strong impression that the house was being closed up. Permantly. This was more than just covering the furniture because the family would be away for a few weeks or months. His jaw clenched and he wanted to yell, shout and punch things. Instead, he turned to the butler and asked in a harsh, but controlled, voice, "They've left, haven't they?"

The older man remained mute, but his looked, schooled to be perfectly impassive, gave him away. He was too calm, too unruffled by the activity and Sonny's question, and even though the butler gave nothing away verbally, the mobster knew. He knew that Alexis had fled with their daughter and Nikolas had helped her. She may have gone into hiding or on the run again, or they had all fled to the family compound in Greece. Sonny believed it was Greece since everything was being packed up. That screamed that Nikolas never intended to return, and why should he now that he'd tricked Jason into killing Helena for him?

Sonny could, and would search for Alexis and Kristina, he'd even get the fancy new lawyer Jason hired to file papers. Alexis might become a fugitive for keeping him from his child, but she wouldn't care. She would be on the Cassadine Island off Greece and would stay there with Kristina. She would do anything to keep him away from their daughter, and wouldn't care what it was or be bothered by the legalities of it. He strongly believed that yesterday was the one and only time he'd see his daughter unless she sought him out when she got older.

Sonny glared at the butler and said, "When you speak with Miss Davis, tell her I know what she's done and I'm not going to give up. If I have to have you arrested as an accomplice, then I'll do that."

Then he spun on his heel and stalked out of the house. He fumed and steamed all the way down to the dock, but he didn't get out of control. He called the men that they'd assigned to watch the island as best they could since Alexis and Nikolas refused to allow men on the grounds; he wanted to know how it was possible that they hadn't seen his daughter leaving. The men were surprised by his call since they'd monitored the area as best they could and hadn't seen anyone leave, or even any boats leave the piers in Port Charles or at Wyndamere. Sonny didn't know how it had happened, but his daughter had slipped right past everybody. The launch took him back to Port Charles and his guards escorted him to the waiting limo. Once inside he punched the leather seat and eyed the barware, but instead he grabbed his cell phone and called his doctor.

"I need to talk to you right away. I'm on my way back to the Towers, are you available?"

~Sam's Apartment~

Sam stepped off the elevator and turned for her apartment, frowning when she saw Sonny's guard standing outside the apartment he'd stayed in when they first returned from the island. As she neared, the man straightened and nodded in polite acknowledgement. She stopped and looked at him curiously. "Gabe, is...is Sonny in there?"

When the guard nodded, her frown deepened. "Has he been in there long? Is everything okay?"

The man was silent and Sam let out a breath, realizing the guard wasn't going to answer. He wasn't going to betray why Sonny was there or how long he'd been inside the apartment. "Okay," she sighed. "I get it. Don't ask; just shut up and go away, Sam."

The guard looked like he wanted to say something, but Sam turned and walked away. He jabbed her key into the lock and wrenched it to unlock the door and stepped inside. The room smelled musty, even though a cleaning service came in and cleaned it while they'd been gone. It seemed smaller and darker after being in the villa on the island and in Sonny's penthouse, but as she looked around she saw all the little touches she'd put up to make this place a home for her and Sophia. It was her home, with her decorations and colors; it wasn't Sonny's place where she was just staying and trying to find a place to fit in.

She wasn't sure why she suddenly felt this way; why she suddenly felt like she'd truly come home. She didn't think it was just because she'd found out Sonny was in his old apartment and the guard let her know exactly where she stood by not answering her question when she was only concerned for him, but she knew it was part of it. She knew that she couldn't really be upset with the guard, or even with Sonny. Just because she thought he was going to be at Wyndemere with his daughter, didn't mean that something hadn't come up. Sure, Jason was handling things now, but that didn't mean he hadn't called Sonny and asked to talk to him, or that Sonny hadn't decided to return. Her initial irritation had been unfounded because she knew that the guards didn't say what was happening because it would be a betrayal to their boss, but also because it was safer for them not to know what was happening.

Mostly, Sam realized, part of her jumbled feelings was her apprehension in coming here. She hadn't been back here in a while and she wasn't sure how she'd feel when she arrived. Now that she was here, she realized she finally felt relaxed and enjoyed that feeling, even as she was confused by it. She felt like she belonged here; that she wasn't intruding and she wasn't a guest and she wasn't in someone's way. This was her place, and suddenly that was so vitally important to her.

Sonny said that he wanted her there with him in the penthouse, and he wanted to be with Sophia and not have them feel like they were less, or less deserving, than Morgan. Sam knew he was confused and unsettled and having them there seemed to help him, but it also felt like things were being forced. They were all staying together because they felt like they had to. But she was beginning to feel like it wasn't the best for them anymore. She felt like she was walking on eggshells and didn't really fit but was pretending like everything was fine. In reality, it wasn't, and standing in her apartment she finally felt right.

Sam didn't know why Sonny was in his apartment, and she began to realize that it didn't even matter. He might have gone to pick something up from his place like she had, or maybe he and Jason were meeting there to talk; it didn't matter why because he didn't owe her explanations. She realized she needed to stop doing things to please Sonny because she was afraid of jeopardizing his recovery; what she needed to focus on was herself and her daughter and be happy for herself instead of pushing it all aside for him. Sonny's recovery was dependent upon him, and being in the penthouse wasn't going to make things better for him in the long run.

While she cared about Sonny, even loved him, she knew she wasn't taking care of herself by staying there and that wouldn't ultimately be good for him. Sam wanted a relationship with Sonny, but she was beginning to see that merely staying in proximity in the hopes of keeping his interest wasn't the right way to go about it. It wasn't a game to make him chase after her, but maybe he needed to decide what he really wanted instead of choosing her simply because she was there.

Having come to a decision, even when she hadn't set out to make one, Sam knew she needed to get back to the penthouse. She didn't want Elizabeth to get up and chase after one of the kids to help Leticia because Sam had been gone too long. Quickly she went and got the book she'd been telling Elizabeth about and then crossed to the door. She turned and looked back, smiling as she nodded at her decision. Yes, it was time to come home.

Leaving her apartment, she stopped, not at Sonny's apartment, but at Dr. Curran's. She'd had little contact with the doctor, but she felt she could come to the other woman now. Sam needed to talk to someone and she suspected that even though she was Sonny's doctor, Dr. Curran would talk to her without judging her. Plus, she would probably be useful for helping Sam figure out how to tell Sonny she was moving out with their daughter.

"Sam?" The doctor was surprised when she opened the door and saw her there. The doctor's eyes flicked towards Sonny's apartment before returning to look at her. "Do you need something? Is something wrong with Sonny?"

Letting out a breath she said, "Yeah, I need to talk to you. It's kinda about Sonny, but...mostly it's about me."

The other woman paused for only a moment before she opened the door and said, "Come in."

"I actually can't," Sam shook her head. "I need to get back and help Elizabeth and Leticia...but I would really like to talk to you if I can."

"Tonight," Dr. Curran nodded firmly. "Give me a call when you have the chance and we'll talk."

"Thank you," she smiled in relief. "I'll call you."

She could only hope that whatever brought Sonny down to his apartment didn't lead to him having to have an emergency session with the doctor later. She wanted Sonny to get better, but this was one time she felt selfish because she needed to talk to someone.

Chapter 108

~Airport~

The men watched the plane take off and could only hope that the GPS tracking device they'd put on the plane actually worked. As soon as they got word that Jax and James Craig were leaving and going to towns near each other they sent men out on the next flights. Their plan was to have men waiting at the airports so they could follow the men and try to find out what was going on.

The GPS unit was there as a back-up in case Jax didn't go where he'd filed the flight plan to. They had hoped they could get one of the guards on the plane as the co-pilot, but Jax had insisted on flying himself this time. So the best the men were able to do was get the tracking device on the plane while they were disguised as maintenance workers. One of the guards had managed to help Jax with his luggage and slipped a listening device inside in case the men met in Jax's hotel room. And as an extra hope, they managed to get a device on the man himself in case he met with James Craig today, but not in his hotel.

The tech guy Jason hired was strange, but the guards had come to realize the man was smart. Spinelli had created bugs that were not obvious or obtrusive, but according to him they were powerful. So powerful so that even if the suitcase was in another room they should still be able to hear, and record, the conversation. As the guards left and headed back to their assignments, they could only hope that the kid really did know his stuff and that it actually worked.

~Sonny's Penthouse~

Elizabeth frowned as Sam disappeared upstairs with Sophia. She claimed the little girl needed to be changed, but Elizabeth hadn't smelled anything and Leticia had changed her just half-an-hour ago. Sam seemed eager to get away after being for a long time downstairs and Elizabeth wondered what had happened to her friend. She wasn't sure the other woman would talk to her, though; Sam had seemed hurt and edgy, but determined to act like she wasn't.

Elizabeth wished she was able to get upstairs easier so she could talk to her friend, but she knew she couldn't do it at the moment. She hadn't been able to sit still and do nothing and leave Leticia to chase after and do everything for all three kids. The nanny had said she was fine, but Elizabeth had gotten up and done things, even while the other woman told her to sit down and rest.

She was feeling it now, though, and she was grateful for the ice Leticia had given her and she was not going to get off the couch. She glanced over at the nanny who was feeding the boys lunch. She looked confused as well, but Leticia turned her focus back to making sure Cam and Morgan actually got food in their mouths and not just on their faces. Elizabeth looked over her shoulder at the stairs, but she heard nothing. She had a feeling Sam wasn't going to be coming down any time soon.

"Should we check on Miss McCall?" Leticia asked, concern in her voice as she finished lunch for the boys and got them cleaned up. "Morgan needs to go down for his nap, but I don't want to intrude."

"I don't think you will," Elizabeth stated honestly. "I think they're going to be in Sam's room. Let me take Cam and if I could have a bottle of milk I'll get him calmed down while you get Morgan settled in."

Leticia got mother and son situated and brought the diaper bag Elizabeth requested and then took Morgan upstairs. Reaching into the bag, Elizabeth retrieved the book Jason had packed today and smiled. He and Cameron had finished reading about Madagascar last night and he'd picked Switzerland for them to travel to next.

"Look what Daddy chose for us," she said in a soft voice as she showed him the cover of an alpine scene. "Maybe there will be something on the chocolate they make. Should we start there or at the beginning?"

Cameron gurgled around the bottle in his mouth and smacked the cover. Pretending to huff she smiled as she said, "Alright, we'll start at the beginning."

She kept her voice soothing and calm as she began and gently swayed to soothe him to sleep. By the time Leticia came downstairs, the little boy's eyes were heavy and struggling to stay open. The nanny stepped up to her and asked, "Do you want me to take him?"

"Thank you," she nodded, knowing he would go in Morgan's room and should settle down easily since he was mostly asleep.

"Do you want me to start lunch for us afterwards?" she wondered.

"I'll do that, Leticia," Sam said as she walked downstairs and surprised them. "Sophie's asleep in the portable crib in my room, so I'll start on it while you put Cam down."

She walked past them without saying anything further and Elizabeth sighed, but handed Cameron to the waiting nanny. Then she looked towards the kitchen and Leticia nodded in understanding. Once the other woman was headed towards the stairs, Elizabeth stood and went towards the room where Sam had disappeared. She had just cleared the couch when the door was flung open and Sonny stormed inside the room. Anger rolled off him and when the door was slammed shut honestly through she heard the wood crack. Glancing over her shoulder at the stairs thinking of the children, she quickly returned her focus to Sonny, not wanting to take her eye off him for long.

She remembered the time when Sonny came to L&B Studios to confront Ned about Kristina's paternity and she wondered what had happened and how out of control this situation would become. She knew there was a guard outside and was actually surprised the man hadn't opened the door after Sonny slammed it. Sam came running out of the kitchen and upstairs one of the children began to cry. Elizabeth knew Leticia would take care of the kids; she was concerned about the scene here.

"What are you doing?" Sam demanded of him. "There are kids here, Sonny, that were asleep."

"Not all of them," he seethed slicing his arm through the air. "She took her and ran. She took my child and ran."

"What happened?" she insisted. "Why are you so angry that you would scare us all like this, especially the kids?"

"Alexis," Elizabeth realized, edging slowly towards the door and Sonny shifted restlessly. "She took Kristina."

"Yes," he hissed, freezing and standing stock still with his muscles drawn and tight. She stopped as well and watched as he seemed to be struggling. Aside from the outburst when he first came in, he seemed to be keeping from getting completely out of control and she decided not to move so she didn't distract him.

"I went to Wyndemere and everyone was gone except the servants who were packing up everything. They ran and that butler was so smug about it, refusing to answer any questions or pass along a message. I came back and talked with Dr. Curran and thought I was okay. But when I got off the elevator I got a call. I should have gone to Jason's, but instinct took over and I came home."

"What was the call?" Sam asked, her voice flat.

"I guess the butler called them after all; Nikolas called to tell me to stay off the island or I would be arrested. They were gone and I would never see my daughter again and I deserved it. He would do everything to protect his niece and I could look, but I'd never get near her."

Shaking his head, but looking calmer, he let out a breath. "He was smug as he taunted me. Challenging me to look, but saying I would lose."

Elizabeth closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead as she sighed. Her friend, the man who had trusted her to talk to him about the past because she wasn't trying to manipulate him and who went with her to Ric's apartment to get her things, had fallen into the Cassadine trap. He'd gained his memories but not the humanity that kept him from becoming like those family members he hated for their cruelty. He had arranged it all beautifully for Jason to kill Helena and now he was taunting Sonny over losing a child.

"I'm sorry," Sonny said, his voice now regretful. Elizabeth opened her eyes and saw him scrub his hands over his face. "I reacted instead of thinking; I didn't mean to scare you guys."

He shifted, turning partway towards the door. "I should go. I...I'll go back down to my apartment. I'm sorry about the door, I hope...I hope the kids will settle back down and be able to sleep."

"Will you talk to Dr. Curran?" Elizabeth asked him.

He looked at her, and then slowly nodded. She made sure to stay where she was until she believed it in his eyes and then stepped aside and let him go out the door. She watched him go around the corner to the elevator and looked at Carl who lagged slightly behind.

"Dr. Curran," she mouthed. "And Jason."

He nodded and then followed after Sonny. She looked at her guard and then waited until the elevator dinged and they heard the doors slide open and then closed. He checked the hall and then stated, "I called Jason. He'll be here as soon as he can."

"Thank you," she said and then stepped back to close the door. When she turned around she was surprised to find Sam standing there silently with tears streaming down her face.

"What's wrong?" she asked, rushing to her friend's side and ignoring the twinge in her knee. "What is it? Are you afraid he's not getting better? He was upset, but he calmed down, Sam. He got under control."

"I know," she said, trying to stop crying as she wiped at her face. "I know. I knew he was in his apartment and I knew he was supposed to see Kristina today and I wondered if something happened. I was mad at first thinking he was hiding out and avoiding the children that were here, but I know that's not fair to him. He loves his children and that control-freak witch who slept with him knowing who he was and then acted all superior and declared he couldn't know his daughter because it didn't fit her wishes should be shot for her hypocrisy."

She wiped at her face harshly. "I want to support him and I don't want to hurt him, but when I was in my apartment it felt right. I wanted to be there...I felt like Sophia and I should go back. It would be better for all of us...I just don't think we should be living together in some weird happy-family-blended-perfection kind of way, when we're not. We need some actual normalcy and the apartment felt right."

Before she even spoke the next part, Elizabeth knew what her friend was going to say. "I was going to talk to Dr. Curran, but how do I even mention us leaving now? He's never going to see Kristina and now I want to move Sophie out?"

"Oh, man," she said with a slight shake of her head. "Sam, I...I wish I knew what to say. But I think you definitely should talk to Dr. Curran because...because you need to."

~Hotel Room~

"Hello, little brother."

"Hello, Jerry," Jax greeted the man with a laugh and a smile. "Come in."

"Did you get away from the little woman?" his brother laughed as he came inside and sat down on the sofa in the suite's living room.

He rolled his eyes as he fixed a drink for both of them at the wet bar. "Actually, it was pretty easy. She's a bit annoyed with me at the moment so she really didn't care when I told her I had to go out of town on business."

"What's going on, Jax?" Jerry wondered. "I thought you said she would help us take down Corinthos. She would be our key to the inside."

"The stupid chit turned out to not actually be his sister," he huffed out as he took a drink. "And it turns out he couldn't stand her over-sanctimonious attitude anymore than the rest of us can and now that he knows she's not actually his sister, he's distancing himself. She may be Morgan's godmother, but it doesn't hold a lot of weight with Sonny or Jason. She can't get up to the penthouse level and they barely tolerate her when she shows up."

He leaned back against the couch and pulled his tie off, tossing it towards his coat that was draped over a chair. "She wants to run her foundation to prove that she has no more connections to the mob. I'm supposed to keep helping her when I couldn't care less about it. I supported her and made my bet with her to make it something she couldn't resist and antagonize Corinthos. She was rather easy to get into bed and that's about all that can be said for her. She wants a baby and without her connection to Sonny there's no way I'm going there."

"Nothing I haven't heard before, Jax," his brother said in a bored tone. "If you hate dealing with her so much, then stop."

His older brother gave him a devilish smile and then continued, "Especially since I now have the perfect way to bring Sonny Corinthos down."

He eyed Jerry and finished his drink. "How?"

"I told you about the lady I met in Milan?" his brother asked. When Jax nodded he went on, "Her father is a very powerful man in New York...Anthony Zacharra. I helped them make a very tidy profit on a certain deal and passed along some information. Zacharra's lawyer is Trevor Lansing-"

"Lansing?" Jax interrupted. "Any connection to Ric Lansing?"

"Father," his brother stated. "He doesn't believe his son died on vacation and he's got some old grudge against Sonny. They're ready to go all out in war against Sonny and his ever-present sidekick and they've already made a few moves. Lansing has been amassing resources - physical and monetary - and when we're ready he'll manage things with Anthony and the crazy old man will be fully unleashed on Corinthos."

"So I don't need to stay with Courtney in the hopes she gets back inside Sonny's circle?"

"Not unless you particularly like having to make...house calls and put on your best bedside manner," his brother smirked over the rim of his glass.

~Jason's Penthouse~

Jason came downstairs after putting Cameron to bed and saw Elizabeth sitting on the couch, her sketchpad on her lap, the phone on the cushion beside her as she ran her hand through her hair in frustration. Slowly, he approached her and moved the phone to the coffee table to sit down beside her. He raised his arm to rest it on the back of the couch and her shoulder, caressing it lightly. She sighed and shifted, leaning into him.

"Do you want to talk?" he asked quietly. They'd talked earlier about Sonny and Sam, but they knew that there wasn't much they could do for their friends and it only upset Elizabeth. She had planned to call Ned and he wondered if she had talked with his cousin, or if she'd instead checked in with Sam.

"I've been thinking about work and how it's just not coming and I've been thinking about Ned and Lois and feeling like I'm letting them down." She paused and then said, "So I called Ned."

"What'd he say?" Jason asked. He couldn't envision that Ned had been rude or pressured her; he'd been supportive and helpful, especially when Elizabeth needed a job to support her and Cameron. She probably felt like she was disappointing them since they gave her a break when she didn't really have the training for it. But Jason knew she wasn't happy and he suspected Ned might have guessed that as well; that is if Ned was being supportive instead of focusing on his business.

"He's not mad," she said. "They appreciated all I did and Ned said that my designs really helped as they were trying to get their business back up and growing. They now can hire someone who's actually trained to do this and likes to do it all day."

"Were you that unhappy?" he asked, his brows drawing together.

"No," she shook her head. "I liked it at first. I'd never done anything like it before and it was interesting because I was learning something new. It was like being in school...except Lois was kinder and more supportive than any of my professors."

Jason smiled and pressed a kiss to her hair, remembering her struggles in school when she was younger.

"But after a while," she continued, leaning more heavily against his side as he wrapped his arm tighter around her. "It wasn't fun. It was work...and then it was drudgery. I know how lucky I am they gave me the job and I'm grateful for it because I was able to take care of Cameron."

"But you didn't enjoy it, and I think they understand," he told her. "You can spend time with Cam and do art that you want to do. You can work on our wedding, or look for a house. There are so many things you can do and I just want you to relax and do what you want to do."

She turned, somewhat awkwardly because of her knee, and smiled up at him. "I know. You said all that when you encouraged me to think about whether I still wanted to work for Ned, and I did. I've always worked and scraped by sometimes, but I worked."

Her face darkened as she paused, "Except when I was married to Ric and I was so foolish to all that he was doing."

"Hey, hey," he said, gently reaching up to cup her cheek to bring her back from the past and all that had been dredged up before his death.

"You are nothing like Ric and I don't want you think for a moment that I even thought that," she said anxiously, lifting her hand to curl around his wrist and he didn't say anything because he hadn't thought she was comparing them. "But there was this moment when I thought what would I do if I'm not working? But the thought of being a wife and a mother with you as the other half...it doesn't scare me or worry me or make me wonder what I'll do all day or if I'm giving up my independence. I just...I hate people thinking I latched onto you just for your money."

She looked down and Jason sighed heavily. "You mean like Emily accused you...or Carly would if she was alive. Emily accused you of trying to use me or Nikolas for our money or to get a dad for Cameron. It's why you're reluctant to accept the money she gave you and Cameron. Even without marrying me you wouldn't have to work, Elizabeth. You could donate the money Ric gave you and you'd still be fine."

"I know," she agreed softly, looking at him tenderly. "I just...I feel awkward. I may have grown up in a comfortable home, but that hasn't been my adult life."

"I know that you're strong and fiercely independent," he began. "I've always admired that in you, and...and it's made you different from others. Carly and Courtney had no problem taking my money, and I had enough so I didn't care. With you, I want you to take it because I want to make your life easier...to ease your worries and your cares. It's because I've watched you struggle and you don't have to now. You have so much freedom and opportunities and I want you to take them so that you can relax and be happy and so vibrant..."

Tears rose in Elizabeth eyes and she leaned into his palm that was caressing her cheek. "When you say things like that...my heart just wants to burst with love for you. I feel like I should be strong and make it on my own-"

"Do you think it makes you weak to let someone take care of you?" he wondered. "I don't think it makes you weak, or me stronger...I'm not saying this to make me your hero. I love you, and that's why I want to do this. To make you happy, to see you smile...because I love you so much."

"I know," she stated and leaned forward to kiss him. "I know. And that's why I chose to quit. I wasn't happy and I don't need the job. I can spend time with Cameron and you and not feel like I'm losing who I am. And it won't matter what anyone else says...because I know what's true, and so do you."

"And that's all that matters," he said, leaning in to kiss her again.

"That's right," she smiled against his lips. "And now that it's done I feel free and happy...and Cam's asleep..."

"Then let's find some way to celebrate," he grinned and stood suddenly, swooping her up in his arms. He silenced her squeal with a kiss as he turned for the stairs; he didn't want Cam to wake up before he had a chance to show Elizabeth just how much he really did love her.

Chapter 109

~Sonny's Penthouse~

Sonny hadn't been able to sleep last night. Not like times before, which he now knew were caused by his illness, when he was too wired and unable to calm down enough to make sense of everything and sleep. He was actually tired and if he wasn't so unsettled and worried, he could have easily succumbed to exhaustion. The problem was, his mind simply would not let him rest.

He was angry, furious even, over Alexis taking Kristina and fleeing. She had stolen years from him already with her lies and running with their daughter once before, and now she was lost to him forever. Nikolas' taunts let him know that he could search, but his resources would be up against the Cassadine power and influence in Greece. It would be nearly impossible to get onto the island there, get someone onto the staff, or watch the various means on and off the island in the hopes of covering every option available. The fact that they were able to get off Wyndemere even though Sonny had ordered men to watch them proved that in Greece it would be even more difficult.

Not that Sonny was going to give up. It was not a competition with Alexis, or even feeling like he had to have all his children with him in some machismo power trip. He loved Sophia and Morgan and he was grateful to have them and care for and love them, teaching them and watching them grow. He missed Michael and thought about him often; he wished he could see the little boy again, but knew that A.J. would never allow it. He would also strike back if he discovered someone taking pictures or trying to get an update on Michael simply so Sonny knew how he was. For as much as it pained him, he knew he had lost his son.

Now he'd lost his daughter as well. Even though the paternity test had listed Ned as the father, Sonny had never just ignored Kristina. He'd been saddened he wasn't her father, not to stick it to Ned, but simply because he had let himself think about being her father and liked the idea. He would see her and think she was a beautiful and sweet child and there was a part of him that regretted that, even with all he had in his life, he would not be a part of hers.

To know that he had been watching his daughter hurt. And it hurt even more to realize that those few hours with her at the hospital might be all he ever got with her. He cherished those moments with Kristina, talking to her, hearing her laugh while he told her a story. He was trying to remember the beauty of that moment instead of sinking into anger at Alexis for her selfish disdain for his rights as a father and only focusing on what she wanted.

Sonny knew that he'd frightened Elizabeth and Sam when he slammed into the penthouse yesterday, and he suspected that he'd hurt Sam with his anger. It wasn't that he believed she didn't want him to know Kristina, but she was just as unsettled about this revelation and their return to Port Charles as he was. He knew she wasn't happy, and she knew she left last night to talk to Dr. Curran, even if he didn't know about what.

He had a feeling he would find out today and that he wasn't going to like what she said. She was quiet, she was withdrawn and he knew that she did not like their living arrangements. It was why he'd wanted to find a bigger house so they all could have more room and she wouldn't feel like she was shoehorned into his house, yet they could all be together. He knew, though, that Dr. Curran was right; it wasn't a solution for them. He wanted to keep everyone close because he felt it would keep the illusion that everything was fine. But it may not be the best for everybody; he strongly suspected that it wasn't the best for Sam.

He heard a door close and soft steps in the hallway and he stood up and ran his hand through his hair. He knew those footsteps and he could only hope that everyone else stayed asleep a little longer. Considering it was still early, the chances were good.

As Sonny stepped into the hall it was already empty, and so he made his way to the stairs. The front room was empty as well so he turned for the kitchen. Sam was standing in front of the coffeemaker, her hair pulled back in a ponytail and her feet bare. He made a noise so she would know he was there and she froze before grabbing for the sides of her robe and belting it closed.

"Good morning," he said pleasantly as he stepped further into the room. "Couldn't sleep, either?"

"No," she shook her head, not looking at him. She did, however, get two coffee cups from the cabinet and poured them each a drink. She finally looked at him when she turned around and brought the mugs to the table. "Had a lot on my mind."

"Me, too," he said as he sat down and took the mug she offered him. "You want to talk about it?"

"I really think I should go back to my apartment." Her voice was firm in resolve, but gentle in tone when she finally spoke. He sensed this was hard for her, but that she was also trying not to hurt him. "I know we didn't want to separate Morgan and Sophia and not upset anybody..."

"But it's not working for you," he filled in.

She shook her head sadly. "I don't think it's any secret that I care for you, Sonny. I'm not proud of sleeping with you while you were married...I hurt your children...and Carly. Regardless of what she did, it still doesn't excuse my part."

"You weren't alone," Sonny stated.

"I was carrying your baby and I cared for you and I didn't want to mess up your life...but you can't control your feelings," she shrugged. "I know the timing isn't good, but the way I feel hasn't changed. It's grown as I've watched you go through your treatments, try to be a good father, be a friend, work back into the business and now deal with Alexis' betrayal. But living with you...I just can't do it because I want more but it isn't the right time."

Letting out a breath Sam said, "Maybe it never will be. But it won't do either of us any good to be around each other all the time. Morgan and Sophia will adapt, they'll still see each other all the time. I will let you be with Sophia as much as you want...but we need separation. I need to find something to do besides just a caretaker to your children. Elizabeth has goals and aspirations; I need to find something for me."

Looking down she said sheepishly, "Something besides running cons. Sophie changed everything for me and I owe it to her to change. To be better. I need to focus on me and not on our every little interaction."

"I know that you need to do this," Sonny said somewhat sadly. "Just like I needed to focus on me; you need to do what's best for you. Our daughter will be better off if you're happy and healthy. I'll miss you, though, Sam."

He reached out and covered her hand. "Not just Sophie, but you. But maybe this will be good for all of us. I can figure out things and so can you. We can work towards what we want."

Looking at her he said with a grin, "Don't expect me to disappear, but I won't push just because I don't want to be alone. Dr. Curran has given me some things to think about in my relationships and I need to. But I'm not giving up, Sam. This isn't just because we share a child, and I didn't choose you just because you were a convenient way to get back at Carly. But we both need time and probably some space to sort it all out."

Her eyes misted and she looked down, but didn't speak. Sonny gently squeezed her hand and said, "We'll figure it out, Sam. Whatever happens, will...and it will be right for us. Don't give up because you don't have all the answers right away."

~General Hospital~

"Monica?"

She looked up in surprise when she heard Jason's voice. Closing her patient's file she leaned on the counter of the hub and smiled somewhat hesitantly. "Jason. This is a surprise. What brings you here? Is everything alright?"

"Everything's fine," he said. "I...I came to see one of my men. Milo Giambetti."

She nodded, remembering the news. "He was the one who was shot by Helena. How is he doing? Do you want me to check on him?"

"Thank-thank you," he replied, shaking his head. "I already checked on him and he's going to get released later today, maybe tomorrow. His brother will take him home and we'll get him a nurse if he needs one. I-I actually wanted to talk to you and Alan, but they said only you were here right now."

Monica was surprised by his answer, her eyebrows drifting upwards. Things were not great between Jason and the family, but they still had contact with him. They honestly had expected they wouldn't see him anymore after Lila and Emily's deaths, but that hadn't happened. He didn't stop by as often as he did to visit Lila, but he was also very busy running Sonny's organization while the older man had been off on a tropical retreat with his family. So it surprised her that he would seek her out today, even if it had been after he'd come to see someone else.

"Do you want to talk with Alan, too?" she asked. "He should be in soon."

Her son sighed and almost looked regretful as he shook his head. "I have a meeting I need to leave for. Can...can we talk? And then you tell Alan."

"Of course," she immediately agreed and gestured towards the waiting area. "You want to talk there or go to Alan's office?"

He motioned towards the sofas and waited for her to come around the hub and walk ahead of him. For all the violence that he was steeped in, he could be very chivalrous. He waited until she sat down and then he joined her.

"I wanted to let you know something," Jason began, rubbing his hand over his jaw as he let out a sigh. "Elizabeth and I are going to get married. I-I'm going to adopt her son Cameron."

She gasped at his news and then her eyes filled with tears. "Oh, Jason. That's wonderful. Elizabeth is...I like her very much. I'm so happy for you."

"Thank you," he said softly. "I wanted you to hear it from me...a few other people know."

"I don't care," she told him with a shake of her head. "I...I appreciate you coming to tell us."

She let out a breath and said, "Edward is going to-"

"I don't want Edward to bother Elizabeth and Cameron," he said insistently. "They are not the way to get to me and Cam is not the next CEO of ELQ. He-he's not quite one and the old man is not going to play his games with them."

"I'll tell him," Monica promised Jason. "But he probably won't listen."

She licked her lips and then cautiously asked, "Can...can we meet Cameron? It sounds like he may have a birthday soon; we would like to give him a present whenever it is. What does he like?"

He immediately looked uncomfortable and she inwardly cringed because she was being too strong and pushing, but she couldn't help it. She was happy for him, she liked Elizabeth, she was excited to meet Cameron and get to know her new grandson and she was just so touched Jason came to tell her what was happening in his life.

"Sorry," she said contritely. "I just...I'm not trying to push."

"It's okay," he said. "Cam's birthday is soon. I-I'll have Elizabeth call you. I...I think she'd like to have someone to talk to who will be happy for her."

"Audrey isn't," Monica surmised. She wasn't surprised; she herself had not always been supportive of Jason, but she knew Audrey and Elizabeth had clashed over Jason before through the years. Apparently the older woman still felt that way.

"No," Jason confirmed. "Elizabeth says she's fine, and her brother is doing his best to support her."

"We would like to get to know her and your son," she told him softly her hand moving towards his arm before she stopped and dropped it back in her lap. "However you'll let us."

"Thank you," he said, touching her arm gently. "I'm sure Elizabeth will call you soon."

She looked forward to it. And she would do her best to contain Edward, although she knew he would more than likely act as he wanted without giving thought to what others wished for.

Jason shifted and then said. "I-I have to go. I'm sorry."

"No," his mother shook her head and placed her hand on top of his briefly. "I understand; there are things you need to do. Thank you for coming to tell us, Jason. It...it means a lot."

He stood and Monica did as well and she wanted to hug him, but was afraid to overwhelm him. He looked at her awkwardly, almost as if he wasn't sure what to do either, but then stepped back. She tried not to let her disappointment show, instead smiling at him tenderly. "Congratulations again to you and Elizabeth. And thank you for coming to see me."

"You're welcome, Mo-Mom." He paused for a long moment, and then finally said a good-bye and left, slipping onto the elevator before the doors closed.

Monica stood there, her hand over her moth as she blinked back her tears. The moments when he called her mom were so infrequent that they still overwhelmed her and brought her to tears. She took a few deep breaths to regain her calm and professional demeanor before she went back to work. She couldn't wait for Alan to arrive so she could share the news with him.

~Coffee Warehouse~

When Jason walked into the office, everyone was already assembled and waiting for him. He went behind the desk and pulled out his chair. "Sorry I'm late. Thank you for coming. Hopefully we'll be done soon so you can get Milo if he's released today."

"Thank you, Jason," Max said. "But you really need to hear what Spinelli got."

Jason looked at their tech guy and the young man anxiously pushed his hair back and opened his laptop. "The quality isn't as good as I hoped it would; I'll need to work on that with the next ones."

"What'd you find?" Jason asked. He worked to keep the impatience out of his voice, but he didn't want to get sucked into the techno-babble the kid was prone to. The guy was doing good work, but he just wanted to hear the results.

"The kid came up with some listening devices," Max said, taking over the explanation. "Our guys got a bug in Jax's luggage and in his jacket. We had men on the ground that watched and followed both him and James Craig. We couldn't get close enough to plant a bug on Craig, but our guys followed him straight to Jax's hotel."

"So you said it wasn't as good as you hoped, but did you get audio?" Jason asked. "It's Jax and James Craig?"

"It is," his second confirmed. "We had a guy in the room across from Jax's suite, he saw Craig go inside. And you should hear what Spinelli recorded."

The younger man pressed a few buttons on his keyboard and two voices drifted out of the speakers.

"Hello, little brother."

"Hello, Jerry."

"Jerry?!" Jason demanded in disbelief and Spinelli paused the playback. The acting boss looked at Max. "Jerry Jacks? Those pictures don't look like Jerry."

He may not be able to see pictures very well, but he knew the pictures of James Craig didn't look anything like Jerry Jacks. Max hadn't been in the organization yet...nobody in the upper levels had back when Jerry was in town and dating Bobbie. That man was definitely not Jerry.

"I did some searching of my own," Bernie stated, opening a folder he held. "I remember Benny talking about Mr. Jacks when he was dating Bobbie Spencer. So I went through old newspaper articles from that time and found some pictures. Especially around the time when he and the father had RICO problems and Jax pleaded no contest."

He set some printed pictures down and Jason nodded, squinting at the one announcing Jerry and Bobbie's engagement. "Yes, that's him."

"And this is Craig," the accountant put another picture down. There was massive difference between the two.

"Major plastic surgery," Max commented. "There's hardly any resemblance."

"But I did run the two pictures through some computer software," Spinelli interjected. "There would have been some massive reconstruction and multiple surgeries, but it could be the same person."

Lifting his brows at that comment Jason asked, "Have we done a search on Jerry to see what happened to him after he left Port Charles?"

"On Maximum Ride's orders I have two machines working on it. One searching for what Jerry Jacks did, where he went, all known records and mentions of him are being searched out and compiled," their tech guy quickly said. "I am also seeking out the earliest known references of when James Craig appeared. I am searching for surgeons who could have operated on him and kept it quiet. I'm particularly searching for those with connections to the Zacharras and Taglianis in Italy."

"So it's certain Craig's working with the Zacharras?" he questioned, his mind leaping ahead to wonder if that meant Jax was as well.

"You need to listen to all the conversation, Jason," Max said gravely.

Spinelli looked almost uncomfortable as he pressed a button on his computer, and as Jason heard the brothers' conversation he understood. Things might have ended badly between him and Courtney and he didn't care for her as he once had, but he felt bad for her as he listened to Jax. The Australian made it perfectly clear he was only using her, and would probably toss her aside now that he had no use for her. But the mobster's thoughts of his ex-wife were pushed out of his mind as he heard the rest of the conversation.

Jax wanted to bring Sonny down, and he was willing to bring the Zacharras into Port Charles to do it. By his brother using the name James Craig, people wouldn't connect Jax to Sonny's troubles. It would be just another rival mobster coming in to bring violence and fear to the town all because of Sonny. And Jax would get what he wanted and never get his hands dirty.

Looking at the men he asked, "You're looking into the names they mentioned? The places and the products?"

"We are," Max assured him. "Spinelli and Bernie are working on it, going through the information and they're also changing our shipping routes and schedules. We're doing checks on all the men again because we're not going to take a chance on another traitor. We know Miss Matthews couldn't have passed on anything recent, but we're covering all our bases. Zacharra's crazy and he deserves the ruthless reputation he has. Add into that Lansing and his connection to Sonny and we want to do all we can to stop anything before it happens."

Acting, not just reacting. Jason nodded his approval and thanked everyone for their work. Bernie and Spinelli left to go back to work and Max went to the hospital to see his brother. Jason sat down and rolled his neck to relieve the tension that had built during the meeting. He needed to go over some paperwork for the warehouse and sign some contracts Diane needed. It wasn't what he wanted to do, but he had to keep things going until Sonny was ready to come back. He really hoped that it would be soon.

Chapter 110

~Sam's Apartment~

"You okay with this?" Elizabeth asked as she looked around and tucked her hands into back pockets.

Sam crossed her hands over her chest and shrugged. "I guess. I know it's the right thing for all of us, but it feels strange. I was here, then Sonny's when I had Sophie, then back to here, then the island-"

"Then back to Sonny's," her friend over the recitation. "And now you're back here. That's a lot of shuffling around. I know when I moved into Jason's back when Manny was a threat that it was great to live there, but I knew I still had my apartment on this floor. I knew that was home, until Jason asked me to stay; to move in and not live there because of safety issues. You probably feel the same."

"Yeah," she nodded. "Staying in Sonny's place was nice, but..."

"Not real," the other woman said in understanding.

"Exactly. Plus," Sam sighed, "with Sonny's therapy and the way things are between us..."

"Makes it hard to live with him," Elizabeth nodded. "I know. It's nice to have the words that define how you stand. But you don't want to push; especially since Sonny's in therapy."

"This isn't spite," she wanted to assure the other woman. "I'm not playing games with him trying to make him do things or get something from him."

"Nobody thinks that, Sam," her friend said. "You talked with Dr. Curran, right? What did she say?"

"She agrees with me," she answered. "Thinks that Sonny and I need to get our own lives figured out."

Elizabeth put her hand on Sam's and squeeze. "You will. And then...who knows what will happen."

The other woman smiled mysteriously and then asked, "Now...what do you want to do for Sophia's room? Should we paint something on the walls, or..."

"Or?" she prompted when her friend trailed off.

"Or should we just look for ideas and figure out what you want and wait?" Elizabeth pondered with a lift of her brow. "Jason and I are going to look for a house. We won't need the penthouse after that. You and Sophie should move there. You'd be close; not a floor below, but not living with Sonny. You'd be close, but independent."

"Sonny doesn't like this arrangement," Sam said, "because he feels like it makes Sophie less than Morgan. Being on the same floor..."

"May help," her friend nodded. "He sometimes obsesses on small points, and if you guys are on the same floor...the same level...he may not feel so bad. Then he won't focus on that but on other things."

Sam gave a little shrug. "Maybe. But...but you guys haven't found a place yet, have you?"

"No," Elizabeth shook her head. "We haven't even really started looking yet. Diane said she'd put together some options and I think after Cam's birthday we might go out. We just want to get through his birthday...and whatever is going on right now with the business."

"Are you excited?" she asked with a smile. "For his party and birthday? He's almost one."

The other mother shook her head in wonder. "It's so weird to think he's almost one. I can remember when I was in California with grandmother, waiting and nervous and it feels like it was just yesterday. He's grown so much and...it's so strange to think of all that's happened."

"And his party?"

With a shrug Elizabeth said, "I know it's for us mostly...and what I really hope is that everyone just gets along. I don't know if my grandmother will show up, and we've invited Alan and Monica. We've asked that they don't bring Edward, but who knows what he'll do or how everyone will act towards each other. 'Cause not everyone gets along and it could be a tense situation."

"Well," she said, "let's hope everyone remembers that they're adults and the day is Cam's."

"We can hope," Elizabeth agreed. "Well...I should get back upstairs. I just wanted to check in and see how you were doing, see if you needed anything and to get you thinking about Sophia's room. Or any room you want help with. I gave Ned and Lois my resignation so I could spend time with Cam and work on my own art. So I'm willing to do a mural, or help you paint or whatever."

She smiled and Sam said, "I'll keep it in mind. Start thinking, looking around at things I like."

Her friend gave her a hug and then turned to go. "If you need anything, or want to talk, let the kids get together...just give me a call. You are not below stairs just because you're here."

She laughed and nodded. "I'll give you a call, and help you set up for the party. So you don't aggravate your knee."

"It's doing better," the other woman said, "but Jason wants me to rest it today since he knows it'll be hard to make me sit tomorrow."

"Then you should go," Sam encouraged her. "Or Jason will come looking for you."

Elizabeth opened the door and stepped into the hall and her guard fell into step with her. He was probably there to make sure she didn't hurt herself further. Sam was about to close the door when the elevator dinged its arrival and Sonny stepped off. She waited as he walked towards them, spoke briefly to Elizabeth and then walked towards Sam. He stopped in front of her and gave her a tentative smile.

"Hey," he said. "How are you?"

"Good," she gave him a cautious smile of her own. She stepped back and said, "Come in."

He looked around and asked, "Are you guys settled in?"

"Yeah," she nodded, looking around the room. "The guards moved everything quickly. It was just our clothes and Sophie's stuff. It's not like they had to move furniture, so it was pretty easy."

"You guys will be okay here?" he asked.

She softened at his tone and unease, but genuine care. "We'll be fine, Sonny. I know you miss Sophie-"

"And you," he told her.

"But we're still here, Sonny, and we'll see each other every day probably. Plus, Elizabeth hand an idea. She and Jason are looking for a house...Sophie and I could move in to their place. We'd be close, but still in our own place."

He didn't look entirely pleased, but it wasn't as bad as when she'd told him she wanted to move out of his penthouse. But she could see he was contemplating the situation. They would be closer to each other. He gave a little nod and said, "Yeah. I-I'll talk to Jason. But that's still a ways off."

"So we just make sure we see each other," she told him gently, but still firm in her resolve. "I won't ignore Morgan, and I'll bring Sophie by so they can play and you can see her. And you know you can see her any time. We can arrange nights that you have her. Whatever you want, Sonny."

"And if I want to take you out on a date this weekend?" he asked.

"Wh-what?" she stammered.

"I want to take you out this weekend," he repeated. Then he further stunned her by giving her a wink and saying, "Think on it and let me know. I need to go meet with Jason."

She still hadn't formulated a response when he left.

~Sonny's Apartment~

Sonny was smiling as he walked into the apartment he'd stayed in after they returned from the island. He'd surprised Sam by asking her out on a date and he'd done it in a good way. He gave it planning, he didn't pressure her, but he was letting her know he wasn't going to give up or take her for granted. He wanted to keep things light and not get bogged down in so much of the weighty pressure that had been following them for months. He wasn't trying the ignore the issues; he just wanted to step away from it for a minute and try to have a moment of fun.

Now, he needed to focus on his meeting with Jason and the men. Sam would give him her answer when she was ready and they'd go from there. Right now he wanted to find out what caused Jason to sound so...off on the phone this morning when he said they needed to meet.

He hadn't been waiting for long when men arrived en masse. Jason came in followed by Max, Milo, Bernie and the kid Sonny knew was Spinelli. He looked slightly squirrely and nervous, but he quickly commandeered a space on the couch and pulled out a laptop from a bag slung around his shoulder. Milo looked pale and slow moving and Sonny immediately directed him to a seat. The young man should have been resting instead of coming here, but he shook off such statements and said he was fine to sit and talk strategies.

"Okay," Sonny said once everyone was in and seated. "What's going on?"

"This is something you need to hear," Jason said gravely. "We think we figured out who James Craig is."

Sonny lifted his brow as he tilted his head to the side. "Who?"

Max nodded at the computer guy and the kid tapped a few keys and then turned his laptop around so the screen was visible. Sonny looked at it and his voice was doubtful as he said, "That's Jerry Jacks."

"Yeah," Jason nodded. When he looked at Spinelli, the young man pressed the space bar and some program took over. Changes and alterations began happening to the picture until there was little recognizable to Jerry Jacks and instead he looked like James Craig.

The mob boss looked at his friend and asked, "Are you saying that Jerry Jacks is James Craig?"

Spinelli quickly pressed a few more buttons and voices were hear in the computer speakers.

"Hello, Little Brother."

"Hello, Jerry,"

"Our men followed Craig from the moment he arrived. They followed him right to the hotel Jax was at that more of our men had followed him to. Our guys were on the same floor, they saw Craig go into Jax's room."

Sonny looked at his second and the acting boss and said, "Craig is Jerry Jacks."

"Yeah," Max said with a nod. "Which means Jax is working with him. Which means he's working with the Zacharras to come after you."

The men shifted uncomfortably and Jason cleared his throat. "They outline a lot of things that we recorded and we're working on some plans. But Jax and Jerry talk about Courtney."

"Courtney?" he wondered with a frown.

"Jax got involved with her as a means to go after you. She was your sister, you'd still let her around...he could get information and upset you by being with her," his friend said, rubbing at his neck. Now that everyone knows she's not your sister and she doesn't have as much access to you just being Morgan's godmother...Jax was rather blunt in saying she has no real use and therefore he has no further interest in Courtney. Certainly not enough to have children with her if they aren't actually going to be your nieces or nephews."

The other men in the room all looked down and Sonny suspected they'd all heard the tape and were embarrassed by it. He rubbed his jaw and sighed. While he didn't have a good relationship with her, rather hard with her sanctimonious judging and anger over Carly and Sam, he didn't want her to be hurt. Jax had targeted her solely on her connection to him, and now the tycoon was ready to cast her aside because she brought him no closer to Sonny.

"She doesn't deserve that," he said with a shake of her head. "But we can't warn her."

Jason and the other men looked at him in surprise but he said, "You had to have thought of it already, Jason. She won't believe us, first of all; not with how she feels about our work and our involvement with Sam and Elizabeth. She'd ask Jax expecting him to deny it and prove us wrong-"

"And then he'd know that we know," the younger man nodded in sad resignation. "Yeah. This is our break to get ahead of the game instead of just reacting to things."

"Which is why we need to get rid of Trevor Lansing and James Craig," Max stated. "Lansing seems to be running things 'cause word on the ground is Anthony Zacharra is crazy. With his history with you, Mr. C.-"

"He'll be trying to eliminate me," Sonny said contemptuously.

"Right," Jason said. "And Craig seems to be organizing everything between the Zacharras and what Jax is doing. Those two are the ones leading the attacks on us. If we get rid of them preemptively maybe that'll disrupt things."

"Do you think Jax will continue on without his brother?" Max wondered. "And could Zacharra really run things and finish the plans?"

"From what I've been able to gather, the son wants no part of his father's business," Bernie spoke up. "He ran away before trying to get free. There's a daughter who wants the business, but Mr. Zacharra sent her to Italy. She may have been Craig's contact. She's with her uncle in Italy and I don't know how she'll react if we get rid of Lansing."

We're not advocating eliminating Zacharra," Jason said. "It's his resources, but we don't know how much he's running things. What he's aware of and what he'd actually be capable of if Lansing was gone."

Sonny looked at Jason and seemed to understand what his friend was hinting at. Jason was truly running things, even though Sonny was still the figurehead. While Anthony Zacharra had a very ruthless reputation, there was no way to gauge how he'd react. They would have to be prepared and cautious. Anthony may have no knowledge of what Trevor was doing, but that was no guarantee he wouldn't keep going if his lawyer was gone. They'd also have to keep an eye on Jax and see what he did with his brother gone. Was the man going along with Jerry's plan and would give up because the man doing the dirty work was no longer there, or would he take the initiative?

"I agree," he said. "So now, we need to figure out how we're going to get rid of Trevor Lansing and James Craig."

"That's why we're here," Jason said. "So let's get down to it. Because we need to figure out what to do with them, and...and if we can minimize the fallout to innocent people, then we need to do what we can."

~Jason's Penthouse~

Elizabeth sat in Cameron's room, holding him even after he'd fallen asleep. He was settled and she could put him down, but she didn't. She sat and continued to hold him, gently rocking in the chair. She just wanted a little more time with him and so resisted putting him in his crib.

One year ago she'd had a hard time sleeping because she was experiencing intermittent contractions. They felt stronger than the Braxton Hicks contractions she'd had before, but they didn't grow stronger, and there was no consistency to them. She would time them six minutes apart for almost thirty minutes and then twenty-five minutes would pass and she only felt a little flutter. Her grandmother sat with her, keeping her calm and doing her best to assure a nervous expectant mother that everything was fine and normal.

When her water finally broke early in the morning, she had been relieved. She could go to the hospital now and feel like something was happening. Her progress had still been slow even after she arrived, but finally after getting some Pitocin her body figured out what it was supposed to do. Cameron was born two hours later and she cried from exhaustion, pain and joy and love so all-encompassing she wasn't sure she could take it all. But she'd known from that moment that her life would never be the same.

She heard Jason's footsteps as he quietly entered the room and she looked up when he stopped by her. He frowned and reached out for Cameron, but she shook her head. She stood and he reached out to support her elbow and then walked beside her as they moved to the crib. Brushing a kiss across her son's hair, she put him down in his bed and then stepped back and wiped her cheeks. Jason covered Cam and pressed a kiss to him as well; then he turned and wrapped his arms around Elizabeth, brushing his lips over her temple.

They stood together for a moment and then Elizabeth pulled back and took his hand. She led him out of Cameron's room, making sure the nightlight and monitor were on, and then they went to their room. Jason closed the door gently behind him and looked at her questioningly.

"I'm okay," she told him with a soft smile as tears welled up again. "I was remembering a year ago; out in California, experiencing contractions. I was scared, anxious to see my baby, grateful for my gram. And now, it's a year later and I was thinking of everything I felt then. He was tiny and they put him on my chest and I got to touch him while they cut the cord and cleaned him and I remember being so amazed at this tiny little person and just being filled with so much love."

Jason brought his hands up and swept her hair behind her ears, then cradled her face. "Thank you."

She looked at him in question. "For what?"

"For letting me know about that moment; what you felt," he told her, his voice husky with emotion. "I love him; I love watching him grow. When he called me dada..."

"You thought your heart would burst?" Elizabeth smiled.

He nodded silently, then said, "I remember when you came to the courthouse to see me and I felt your baby kick, and then when I met him. But I wasn't there when he was born and I didn't really think about it, but hearing you talk now...I wish I'd been there. To see him from the beginning, to be with you...to be a part of it all."

"You're here now," she said, covering one hand with hers while resting the other over his heart. "Cam won't care that you weren't at his birth. It's going to mean more that you adopted him, that you raised him and that you loved him. Being there when he's five and starting school, when he's seven and riding a bike or when he's sixteen and learning to drive...that is what he'll care about."

She let out a breath and then said, "But I understand, being there for the birth is amazing. And it's only natural you'd want to see that. If we have more..."

"Do you want more children?" Jason asked her when she trailed off, realizing the implication of her words.

"I like being a mother," she answered. "If it's only just Cam, I will be blessed...but yeah...I think I'd like more some day. Do you?"

He kissed her and then said, "Yeah. With Michael and Sophia...it just kinda fell on me that I became a dad."

He put his finger over her lips and said, "I chose you and Cameron; you didn't demand I claim him. I wanted him. And...and to have another one what you and be there from the beginning...

"Yeah," he nodded, swallowing thickly. "I would like that. It's...it's a little strange to make the choice beforehand. But...but I don't want to rush you, or say let's make a decision now. We can talk about it more, decide when...or just let it happen if it's supposed to. You-you can't take the pill because...because of what Ric did to you, so we'll use something else like we've been doing until we feel it's right not to. Or, we stop using protection and just let whatever happen when it happens."

Her eyes widened at all he was saying and so much to think about. Jason brushed his hand across her cheek and smiled. "A lot to think about, isn't it? So...we'll just keep doing what we've been doing for now."

"After the wedding," she told him. "Let's...let's see what happens after the wedding."

Then she laughed and said, "So maybe we should start planning that."

Jason drew her closer to him and kissed her, his lips drawing her in and obliterating all thought but him and the feel of his arms around her. As his lips began a journey towards her ear he whispered, "After Cam's party. Diane has some houses we can look at...and we can talk about our wedding. But for now...let's talk later."

To Be Continued...

You may Email Me comments if you like, or use the form below:

Comments for Worlds On Fire:

Head Back to the Main Page