A/N: Throughthemirrordarkly chose not to continue past Chapter 1 of 'Fallouts Aren't Pretty'. After reading chapter 1, I saw great potential and immediately ideas hit me to the point where it could go further. I asked her for permission to continue it and she graciously let me. If you are not sure where to find the first chapter of her story, please follow this…1) Under the GH page, click on 'story' and then 'writer', 2) type in 'throughthemirrordarkly' and click 'enter' and then click on her name that's in blue 3) under all her stories, keep scrolling down until you see 'Fallouts Aren't Pretty' and then click on it to read to refresh your memory. My continuance of the story will be called 'Where the Heart Lies'. This is how I pictured the story going forward. WARNING: Sam will NOT be written in a good light as I don't like her character. I don't own Chapter 1 of Mariah's story, but I do own Chapter 2 and beyond that. Thanks for reading.

Title: Where the Heart Lies

Summary: What if Elizabeth hadn't known Jason's identity? What if Sam still had accused her? What if Jason would have believed it for a split second? A split second is too long, and so much can change in a split second. Here is the fallout. This is a continuation from THROUGHTHEMIRRORDARKLY's first chapter. She let me continue it. Different story title is used.

Chapter 2

'Getting to the Truth'

(Jason needed to know the truth. As much as he wanted to believe Elizabeth, she was right. As long as he had a shimmer of a doubt in the back of his head, he couldn't fully move on. Possibly with Elizabeth or Sam. He loved both woman. He didn't appreciate Sam making accusations or treating Elizabeth the way she did. He tried to defend Elizabeth, but it was obvious Elizabeth could defend herself. If he was completely honest with himself, he wanted to make it work with Elizabeth. He loved her. He wanted to be with her. She had a point, though. He needed to know what happened the night of the Nurse's Ball. How? What Elizabeth recommended and she was right. Jason needed to have a talk with Nikolas and get to the truth)

(After knocking on the front door to the Cassadine Mansion, Nikolas answers. Nikolas was a bit surprised to see Jason. He knew he shouldn't be, though. He figured it was only a matter of time before Morgan approached him about the truth. Nikolas sighs as he speaks)

Nikolas: "Jason. What can I do for you?"

Jason: (nods) "I think you know what this is about."

(Before Nikolas can say anything more, Jason walks past the Prince and goes inside. Nikolas rolls his eyes in slight annoyance)

Nikolas: "Please, come right in."

(After shutting the door, Nikolas walks to the living room where Jason faces him)

Nikolas: "Let's pretend that I don't know why you're here. Enlighten me, please."

Jason: (tilts his head) "Okay, fine."

(Jason walks around the living room a bit while speaking)

Jason: "Sam accused Elizabeth of knowing the truth about my identity and keeping it from me. She said Elizabeth knew who I really was and didn't say a word. Elizabeth denied it, of course, and was upset that I didn't believe her."

(Before Nikolas has a chance to say anything, Laura makes her presence known)

Laura: "I don't know what Sam thinks she knows, Jason, but she's wrong. Yes, Nikolas and I knew of your identity. However, we didn't tell Elizabeth."

Nikolas: "She's right. I didn't tell Elizabeth as I didn't want to put her in a position where she had to tell you this shocking truth."

Laura: (nods) "I agree with Nikolas."

(Jason sighs deeply as he places his hands through his hair before facing them again)

Jason: "How do I know you two aren't lying to protect Elizabeth? All three of you are practically family."

Nikolas: "I admit I have lied before on things. Am I proud of it?" (shakes his head) "No. But, if it's to protect someone I love, I will do it."

Laura: (sighs) "Jason, what do I have to gain from lying to you? Did I want to tell my former daughter-in-law the truth?" (nods) "Yes, I did. But, I didn't. As I didn't want to put her in a bad spot. Nikolas and I made the decision together to not say anything. Elizabeth found out the truth when the rest of the town did. She was shocked as hell just like I know you were."

Jason: (scoffs) "That's a bit of an understatement. I went from not knowing my real identity to finding out I worked in the mob for Sonny."

Laura: "From what we've noticed, you've never found Sonny's business appealing."

Jason: "No, I didn't. I still don't."

(Jason goes to sit down on the couch as Laura sits down next to him and Nikolas sits down in a chair next to the couch on the left. Jason stares down as he thinks for a moment before speaking)

Jason: (sighs) "Do I like the fact that Elizabeth has lied to me on things? No. She admitted to me what she lied about. Danny's paternity was a big one, but she said she came clean pretty much right away."

Laura: (nods a little) "Do you believe her?"

Jason: "Unlike what Sam wants me to believe, yes, I do believe Elizabeth. She had a sincerity in her voice. All Sam did was accuse Elizabeth of things. Sam was threatened by the fact that Elizabeth was going to play fair and air her dirty laundry. I wouldn't have blamed Elizabeth had she done that. If Sam was going to, so could Elizabeth. However, from what I've noticed, Elizabeth admits her mistakes. Even when it's spilled in her face, she takes it. When Sam gets hit with it, I noticed she tries to put the blame elsewhere." (half shocked/half confused) "Did Sam really sleep with her step-father Ric?"

Nikolas: (laughs) "Oh, yeah! Her mother, Alexis, wasn't happy to say the least."

Laura: (sighs) "I love my son, but Lucky never should have cheated on Elizabeth with Maxie." (shakes her head) "Elizabeth didn't go looking for you, Jason. In all honesty, you are probably the one person who has never judged her when she made a mistake. Were you pissed? Yes. But you never judged her."

Jason: (scoffs & shakes his head) "Yeah, until now. I'm an idiot."

Nikolas: (nods) "Yes, you are."

Jason: (weirdly) "Like you're perfect. Come on, Nikolas."

Nikolas: (raises his eyebrows) "Would I like to be perfect? I think it's safe to say everyone wishes they were. Hell, Sam would like that to be true about herself. Hate to break it to her, but that's just not the case. I've never really had a bone to pick with her until she made it sound like Elizabeth does things on purpose."

Jason: "I did see Sam's point when Elizabeth lied about Danny's paternity. Granted, it was only for a short time, but still."

Nikolas: "Yet Sam accused Elizabeth of lying about your identity and you were tempted to believe her without a shred of proof."

Jason: "That's why I came here to talk to you and Laura."

Laura: "Jason, I swear on the life of all my children…I did not tell Elizabeth I would even take a lie detector to prove it if you preferred it."

Nikolas: "I love Elizabeth as a friend. I would never want to put her in a position where she needed to carry that burden. She doesn't deserve it."

(Laura sighs deeply before placing her hand over Jason's that were on his lap)

Laura: "You just need to ask yourself who you trust more. Who do you think is capable of lying more easily? Who would tell you the truth instead of using it to their advantage or keeping it from you."

(Jason briefly closes his eyes and sighs softly. He knew the answer to all of those questions. When Sam was making accusations towards Elizabeth, Elizabeth admitted her faults. However, Sam tried to steer away from the blame Elizabeth said were Sam's faults. He loved both women, but he remembered what Elizabeth pointed out that pissed off Sam)

Jason: (scoffs a bit) "One thing I noticed right off the bat, without knowing my identity, Elizabeth believed in me. She gave me a chance. She saw similarities between me as Jake Doe and as Jason, but loved me either way. Before Sam knew I was Jason, she hated me. She couldn't stand me. Yet…" (chuckles dryly) "The second she found out I was Jason, she wanted to know me. She wanted me back. She wanted that connection again." (nods) "Elizabeth and I always had a connection. We had one from the very start. She allowed me in to her home when I had no place to live. I was a nobody, but Elizabeth made me feel welcome. Sam didn't. She couldn't have cared less."

(Jason looks ahead and just stares into the unknown while he comes to a realization. His eyes widen as a smile creeps up, causing him to chuckle. Nikolas and Laura look at each other in confusion until Laura speaks)

Laura: "Jason, are you okay?"

(Jason laughs as he briefly wipes his face with his hands and looks between the mother and son)

Jason: "Oh, I'm fine. I just came to a realization. A realization I should have had all along. But, I was a selfish prick who chose to listen to a woman that had no proof on things. I listened to her when I should have listened to my heart all along. If I had listened to my heart, I would have known the woman I truly loved wouldn't lie to me about something so huge as my identity." (sighs softly) "It's always been Elizabeth I loved. It's always been her my heart belonged to. Even when I didn't realize it. I can't believe I didn't see it. I'm a fucking idiot."

Nikolas: (snorts) "Glad I didn't have to tell you that."

(Laura gives Nikolas a disapproving look before facing Jason)

Laura: "What matters, Jason, is you realized your faults before it was too late. You know where your heart lies." (smiles) "Now, what you need to do is go after the woman you love. Tell her you believe her and it's always been her."

Jason: (shrugs in defeat) "What if I'm too late?"

Nikolas: "Then you're an ass for giving Sam's accusations a second thought."

Laura: "Nikolas, please." (sighs) "Go to Elizabeth and tell her what you told us. You will find out whether or not it's too late when you speak to her." (smiles a bit) "Just speak with your heart, Jason. You need to trust that Elizabeth will understand and forgive you. Show her your heart. It won't steer you wrong."

Jason: (sighs in hope) "Let's hope not, Laura." (determined tone) "I love Elizabeth and I want her back."

Chapter 2 Done

I was debating whether to include Sam/Elizabeth's confrontation in this chapter or not. In the end, I decided to make Chapter 3 the confrontation so they can have their own chapter. I hope you like what I wrote so far. Reviews are appreciated. Thank you. Next update will be on Tuesday as usual.