A/N: Some history is changed in this story. Ric holding Carly in the panic room and everything up till then did happen. But nothing is the same afterward. Hopefully it will explain itself as the story progresses, I don't want to reveal too much right now. Sonny and Jason's relationship with Liz is strained b/c of the problems created by Ric. They are not as close as they use to be. And Elizabeth has been keeping major secrets from everyone that she is close to.

Chapter One

It was damp and cold on the ledge that overlooked the drop off into the ravine, but the chill did not bother her in the least. Sitting on the concrete slab with her feet dangling over the ledge, she closed her eyes and let the memories of the last week float through her mind. It had started out the same as always, but somehow it had turned into a nightmare that she could not seem to awaken from.

Releasing a breath in frustration, she shoved a lock of her chocolate tresses from her pale face. It was days like this one that made her regret coming back to Port Charles at all. Her Grams always seemed to be disappointed in her choices, her friends only supported her if she was doing what they thought was best for her, and Elizabeth Webber had never felt more alone. And after the events of the previous days, she realized that she needed the support that came with no strings attached.

With shaking hands, she pulled her cellphone from her jacket pocket and dialed the number that she had memorized long ago but never called since recieving it. Hearing the smooth and deep voice that answered on the first ring, she took a deep breath. "I'm sorry to call so late," she started hesitantly.

"Elizabeth? Are you okay?"

The immediate concern in the tone caught her off guard, but she quickly recovered. "Um, not really. I just needed to hear a familiar voice. Someone that actually cared."

The pause was brief, but she could feel the tension entering her shaking body until he spoke reassuringly. "You know that I will always stand beside you. I promised you anything that you ever needed. Tell me what is going on, Lizabeth."

Tears filled her eyes. "I need you here. I know that you left for a reason," she hurriedly added before he could respond, "but it's Cameron."

Worry crept into his voice. "Tell me what is wrong."

Whimpering with fear, she pulled her knees up to her chest and clutched the phone tightly. "He is sick. The doctors said that it is bad. He needs a bone marrow donation. I'm not a match," she sobbed into the phone.

Inhaling sharply, the man sat abruptly on the desk. His voice wavered when he spoke again. "I will be on the jet within an hour. He will be okay, Lizabeth. I promise you that Cam will be fine. He is a strong little guy."

"He's my baby," she whispered in despair. "Please! You have to get here."

"I will. Hang in there, Lizabeth. I will be there as soon as I can."

Waiting until he had disconnected the call, Elizabeth wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her coat. She knew that she was blowing her nice and peaceful existance out of the water, and that everyone that she had ever loved was going to turn on her, but she had no other options. There was no way that she was going to lose her son. Cameron was the most important thing in her life, and she would do anything to save him.

Swiftly standing, she looked out at the dark abyss and knew that she had done what had to be done. She would face the danger that came from outing her secret head on. Saving her baby boy was the only thing that mattered at the moment, and Elizabeth was a mother first and foremost.

"God help me," she muttered as she walked toward her car to go back to the hospital.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~b~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Slipping into the hospital quietly, Elizabeth made her way toward her young son's room. Seeing Steven standing outside the room and reading a chart, she bit her lip but approached her brother. "Any changes?"

He looked up and noticed the strain in her eyes. "Not yet, Lizzie. We will find a donor. I am not giving up on my nephew."

Hugging him tightly, she leaned against him for support. "I just want my baby healthy again."

"He will be," he tried to reassure her. "Cam is sleeping right now. You should get some sleep too, kid. You look exhausted."

Groaning at the paternal tone, she rolled her eyes as she backed away from him. "I will as soon as Cam is better."

"Lizzie, we have him on a donor list and in the data bases. With his father dead and no family remaining on his side, it may take a while," Steven warned, not wanting her to be unprepared for the long road ahead of her.

Wincing, she quickly looked away. She opened her mouth to explain to him but was interrupted as her friend rounded the corner.

"Elizabeth!" Emily Quartermaine rushed forward and hugged her tightly. "I came as soon as Mom called me. Nik and Lucky are getting tested as we speak. I'm just sorry that I am unable to because of the chemo that I had."

Clasping Emily's hands, she gave her a shakey smile. "I know you would if you could, Em. Thank you for coming."

Their conversation was interrupted as Sonny Corinthos and Jason Morgan got off the elevator followed by Carly. The group stopped and looked at one another in confusion. Elizabeth noticed that Carly and Sonny were both distracted.

"Jason!" Emily squealed before hugging her brother. "What are you doing up on the peds ward?"

His icy blue eyes slid between her and Elizabeth. "Um, Morgan was admitted after he broke his arm. Leticia fell on the ice while carrying him into the building." He tilted his head. "What are you doing up here?"

"Cameron was diagnosed with cancer. He is sick."

Sonny and Carly paused on their way to Morgan's room. Even though there was some hard feelings left from the whole Ric fiasco, they both flinched. "Elizabeth..."

Holding up a hand and offering a weak smile, she stopped the mobster. "We will be fine, Sonny. You should get back to Morgan. I am sure that he misses you all." Without waiting for a response, she turned and escaped into Cameron's room.

Stunned at her abrupt departure, Sonny and Jason both looked at Emily in confusion. The young woman sheepishly shrugged. "Liz is going through hell right now. Cam needs a bone marrow transplant and no match has been found yet. I am sure that she is just worried about Cam."

Carly nodded, understanding that the mother was worried about the sick boy. "I have to get to Morgan. Please tell her that we are praying. No one, not even her, deserves this pain."

Rolling his eyes, Jason barely held back a snort. It was just like her to still be condescending while being concerned. He ignored Carly and looked into the room that Elizabeth had disappeared into. "Is there anything that we can do? I know that she is still upset over how we handled the whole Ric mess, but I still consider her a friend."

Touching his arm, Emily followed his gaze. "I don't think so, Jase. Without a donor, there is nothing else to be done. Nik and Lucky are being tested now. I know others have also been tested, but so far no matches."

Hissing at the implications, Sonny rubbed his forehead. "He will die without it?" he asked softly.

"My nephew will be fine! I am not letting him die!" Steven snapped.

"I meant no ill will, Dr. Webber." Sonny eyed the irate man. "I know that I let her down in the past, but I do care about Liz and her son."

"Yeah, well, whatever." Steven glanced back at Emily before looking in at Elizabeth who was sitting by Cam's crib with her head in her hands. "I have more rounds to finish, Em. Tell Lizzie that I will be back after my shift."

Waiting until the doctor was gone, Jason shifted his weight uncomfortably. "We have to get down to Morgan's room. Please call if there is anything that they need."

Nodding and telling them to give Morgan a kiss for her, Emily watched as they entered the room down the hall. Hearing Courtney call Jason's name, she just shook her head. She always wondered how he could have went from Elizabeth to the trashy skank, but she knew that it was none of her business. Pushing all thoughts of the Corinthos-Morgan family from her mind, she straightened her shoulders in determination and entered Cameron's room. Her best friend needed her, and for once she was going to be there.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~b~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Exiting the private jet, the dark haired man grimaced at being back in this town. He had few good memories of this place. But he knew that the reason that he was back was more important than anything else. Getting into the limo, he leaned back into the plush seat.

"Are you certain that you want to go straight the hospital?"

Opening his eyes, he studied his second in command. "Yes. You know that time is of the essence in this situation."

"I still cannot believe that she is outing it like this," he muttered.

"A mother's love outweighs everything else. Our son could die. Of course we are going to do what is necessary!" he snarled, causing the other man to shut up. Lowering his voice, he sighed. "I never wanted to walk away to begin with. I just thought that it was what she wanted."

"And if she still does?"

Grimacing, he shook his head. "No way in hell. I am not letting my family go again. I made that mistake once. I can protect her and Cameron much better if we are together. Besides, the secret will no longer exist and her life is about to take a major turn. There is no way that I am letting Lizabeth face that alone," he vowed as he watched the scenery as the car sped through the town of Port Charles as the first light of daybreak peaked through the clouds.