Background
Things you need to know for this fic. AJ, Jason and Emily are all Monica and Alan's biological children. Jason (26) history as a Q and a Morgan is exactly the same. Jason's history with Robin is pretty the same. The big differences are Cottage Hell never happened, she never returned from Paris and he never went to visit her. Sonny married Brenda after Lily's death, and they have a child named Harlan after her father, or Harly for short.
I've always wondered what life for Michael and Port Charles would have been like if Carly had never come back to Port Charles. So apologies to Carly fans but she won't appear in this fic except in flashback, but her time in PC was pretty much the same as on the show, with regards to the relationships with Tony Jones, AJ and Jason.
Elizabeth (20)history is completely different. She grew up in Colorado, with her loving and supportive parents, brother and slightly jealous sister. Her best friend was Caroline Benson AKA Carly who is 2years older than her. She spent her summers in PC with her Grandparents that is how she knows Emily, Lucky and Nikolas. She was never raped. The rest will be explained as I go.
Prologue
Jakes Bar - Port Charles
Jason Morgan sauntered in to Jakes and stopped at the end of the bar to survey and analyze the mood of the crowd. After several seconds his perceptive mind pronounced the mood of the bar "relaxed." Satisfied, he turned to acknowledge Jake, the owner and namesake of the bar, and the waitress tending bar with her.
"Hi, Jake," he nodded and turned to the petite blonde with a ready smile. "Angie! How's it been this evening?" Angie popped the top of the beer she knew he'd want.
Jake smiled. "Hello, gorgeous. It's been quiet," she answered. "You're later than usual. Do you want something to eat?" Jake prattled on as Angie placed the opened beer in front of Jason.
"Thanks, Ange," he accepted the beer. "I'm good, Jake. I ate at Kelly's earlier. I just stopped by for a beer and a game of pool to unwind. I'll probably crash here tonight too," he told her absently as he scanned the room once again. He added silently, "and I'm horny and thought there might be an available woman willing to help me out." Jason's eyes alighted on two women at a table near the pool tables; a sensual smile broke out on his face as he observed them, catching the eye of the blonde.
"How come you're tending bar tonight, Ange? Where's Derek?" Jason inquired offhandedly as he observed the blonde at the table for several minutes while she alternatively returned his gaze or flashed him a half smile only to look away again. It was a flirty "come get me" and "oh, I'm coy" type of routine she had going, but Jason wasn't fooled.
"Jake gave him the night off," Ange replied.
"He has exams tomorrow, and the kid was struggling," Jake added.
Jason nodded absently, then he made up his mind.
"That's good of you, Jake," he mumbled as he picked up his drink, slid off the stool, and headed for the women at the table.
Jake and Angie chuckled.
"It just comes too easy for that boy," Jake observed shaking her head.
"You can't blame them, Jake," Angie replied honestly.
"No, I can't, darling," Jake laughed walking to the opposite end of the bar to serve a customer.
Jason's eyebrows tipped up as he noticed the blonde push the chair out from under the table as he approached and gesture for him to take a seat. The redhead turned to offer him a smile. Jason's smile broadened. "Oh, yeah, two available, willing women if I'm not mistaken. NICE," he thought as he took the proffered seat.
Same time Denver Colorado
Elizabeth sat silently in her small studio apartment, contemplating the unfairness of life and the random incidents that could change a life, the types of random incidents that had in fact changed hers: a drunk driver running a red light. A life was over. She closed her eyes and immediately Carly's face popped into her mind. Carly had been such a major force in Elizabeth's life for as long as she could remember, and her minds eye was assailed with visions of Carly at various ages. The sweet 10 year old who would help her make lemonade to sell at stands outside of her house. The fierce and protective Carly who walked her to her first day of High School and made sure no one, not even Elizabeth's sister, Sarah, would pick on her. The devastated Carly who at 16 found out she was adopted and sobbed in Elizabeth's arms. Then a year later, the grieving Carly who had watched as her adoptive father was buried, grief making way for guilt as she confessed to Elizabeth that her father's death was her own fault. The bereft Carly who gradually began to hate the summer holidays because that was the time that Elizabeth disappeared each year to visit her grandparents. The ecstatic Carly who greeted Elizabeth at the end of every summer when she returned from Port Charles. Only Elizabeth was a constant and settling presence to Caroline Benson. Their connection was almost sister-like and as vital to Carly as it was to Elizabeth, the one person who never judged her or let her down. Now Caroline Benson was dead, killed in a car accident by a drunk driver, and Elizabeth was assuming responsibility for her 6month old son, Michael. Elizabeth had decided to continue with Carly's plans to move to Port Charles and introduce Michael to his father. She just hoped that they could come to an understanding because she loved Michael, and she wanted to keep him. Nothing and no one would take him from her, but she knew she needed the help of her long time friend, Emily Quartermaine.
Chapter One
Elizabeth dialed Emily's cell phone and was relieved when it didn't go to voice mail.
"Hello, Liz?" Emily's happy sing song voice greeted her.
"Em? How are you?" she replied, happy to hear her friends excited voice.
"I'm great now. How the heck are you, girl? How's nursing school? Have your parents calmed down over the career change? Not that they would, of course. It was out of left field, and I don't understand it either. Forget that," she chattered excitedly. "When the hell are you coming for a visit? Or, wait, are you inviting me somewhere?" she laughed.
"Wow, Em, my head's spinning with all those questions. But, to answer in order: not so good, school is good, not in my life time, and sooner than you might think. You just need to meet me at the bus terminal," Liz reeled off with an affectionate smile.
"You are studying too hard? Is that why you aren't so good? And fan-freakin-tastic! I can't wait to see you," Em focused on the answers which interested her most.
"Some bad stuff has happened to me lately and most of it I've kept from you. I'll fill you in when I see you," she paused. "It's enough to say that the Carly Benson, who has been causing havoc in Port Charles, was a friend of mine."
"WHAT? No WAY," Emily breathed in shock.
"Yes, and she was killed in a car accident a week ago. We just had the funeral yesterday," she paused steadying her breath. "That's part of the bad stuff I've been dealing with," she told her sadly. "The other part involves your brother," Elizabeth added reluctantly. She wasn't looking forward to turning peoples' lives upside down, especially people she loved and cared about, but it was necessary. She wanted to keep Michael anyway she could.
"Which one?" Emily's voice had a suspicious edge to it.
"Jason, I believe." Elizabeth paused, knowing Emily had heard her with Emily's grunt. "I need a favor, Em."
"Liz, do you know anything about this kid she claims to have had?" Em asked, the suspicion more evident in her tone.
"Yes! He's real, and I've been looking after him."
"Wow, just wow. You are like still, deep waters, Liz" Em said with the first hint of disapproval in her voice.
"I can't explain everything now, Em, but I've known Carly all my life. Believe me, the Carly you describe is not the one I knew and loved," Elizabeth told her earnestly.
"Hmmph...what's the favor and how do I deliver?" Emily asked.
"I just need a phone number so I can speak to him," Elizabeth told her quickly.
"Why him? That kid could be anyone's. Tony Jones or my brother AJ's or the guy on the docks," the edge unmistakable in Emily's voice now.
"That may be, but Jason is the one Carly was about to go and see when she died," she paused to plead, "please, Em," her voice breaking.
"You think that kid is Jason's?"...Emily started.
Elizabeth was tired of her beloved little bundle Michael being referred to as "that kid" and her tone, as she interrupted, showed it.
"His name is Michael, and I adore him. I've been looking after him since he was born. He's the reason I went to nursing school instead of med school. I just need to find out who his father is and come to an arrangement."
"What the hell does that mean?" Emily now angry for her brother.
"Are you going to give me a number or not?" Elizabeth was angry also.
"No! I'll give him yours. If he wants to speak to you about this "kid" he can approach you," Emily snapped.
Elizabeth sighed. "Well, I guess that means I won't be socializing with you when I come to Port Charles." Emily's indrawn breath was enough for Elizabeth to know that Emily realized she had gone too far. Elizabeth loved Carly and Michael, and she couldn't handle the hate or accusation in Emily's voice anymore. If anything, it was offensive to Elizabeth, and Emily should know that Elizabeth wouldn't take advantage of anyone.
"Look, Elizabeth, you need to understand that Carly did a lot of damage while she was here," Emily stated.
"I'm sorry, Em, but he's an innocent baby," Elizabeth pointed out.
"I can't just give out his number, Elizabeth. You know what he is, and you know who he works for. I'll ask him to call you. It's the best I can do, and, remember, I owe Carly nothing. I'm doing it for you." Elizabeth sighed.
"It shouldn't be this hard, Em, if, as you say, everyone hated Carly so much then no one will want her son. I do, and that's all I'm trying to make happen. I thought I'd start with Jason and then work my way through the list." she muttered quietly. Her statement was met with silence.
"Alright! I'll call tomorrow. What do you want me to say to Jason?"
"Just tell him it's about Carly and her son. Hopefully that will be enough."