A/N: I am glad so many enjoyed the wedding. To clear a few things up, Elizabeth isn't the real heir. We will later find out who it is and that she willingly gave up the money. Luke was mistaken because the names are going to be the same but two different people. That is going to play into something else that happens with Dante/Sonny. As for Alan being mean, he was trying tough love. That's all. He was worried and knew he had to press Elizabeth's buttons. Now on to the chapter where we meet Claudia, Dante, Johnny and get poor poor Sam who doesn't realize she has been dumped until midway in.
Chapter 2
Robin had joined Skye and Elizabeth in the limo and sat there stunned. "Wow, when you keep secrets you keep secrets. Now I know that this is way out of line, but the father of your child, it isn't Patrick is it?"
Elizabeth had been on the verge of tears and instead found herself laughing out loud. "No, I just don't see him that way, sorry, you are stuck with him."
"Good, then can someone explain what happened back there?" she asked leaning forward. "Who was the man who left with the red headed woman, and why was he at the wedding? And Elizabeth what did Luke have on you?"
"What you just saw a very good con job." said the woman driving. When she pulled off the side of the road and stepped out of the car, she said "We all need to talk."
Looking at the woman who from the top looked like a chauffeur but from the waist down was wearing a very short skirt and red heels. Tossing the cap onto the hood, she said "Claudia Zachara, you are Robin Scorpio and the fat one is Elizabeth Webber, now you aren't going to give birth now, are you?" She said with a worried look at Elizabeth's stomach.
"No." she said then turned to look at Robin. "I'm not fat, am I?"
"Well, your breasts did grow two cup sizes." she replied slightly uncertain how Elizabeth would take it.
"Ladies, later. This could blow up in our faces if we don't get our story straight. Doctor girl, you are here because you were worried medically about your friend. Elizabeth, so I trust you will help us. Now, you do know that Spencer misread this, that you aren't the real heir? At least not in relation to this Anne, I mean you will inherit the money however this is all about preventing the Lansings from stealing my family's organization. That is why you are inheriting from Lorenzo, because I don't care about the money only protecting my brother."
"When I was making plans, I found a file on Claudia, she has her own problems. We are working together, but I promised her you wouldn't marry Johnny." Explained Skye.
"Your brother, the one coming to town right?" asked a nervous Elizabeth. "Why is he doing this?"
"At the end, he gets to leave the family; I take over and marry the man of my choice after the year long marriage to Corinthos is over. I haven't decided who yet, but I need to make it clear to this Sonny that this isn't going to be a power grab on his part. Unlike this late lamented Lily, I am not going to walk away from my share of the pie. Even if I die, it goes to Johnny, not him." she said.
Robin looked confused to Skye explained the deal with the godfather. She then looked at Elizabeth and said "Jason? Why aren't you two together, he has been in love with you forever?"
"Because my brother has to take his balls back first; Elizabeth had to break a certain lock and then they are going to do normal couple things, BEFORE I will let him marry her as agreed to by the man backing this." snapped Skye. "He is lazy and no one woman wants a romantically lazy husband."
Robin nodded reluctantly then said "This is going to be difficult, he doesn't like to have to work for things he doesn't think he will win, I think Elizabeth is the only woman he has ever had to chase. They usually came to him."
"Not this time. Elizabeth is going to get over this feeling of being second best and he is going to work for it. For every smile and every kiss." said Skye militantly. Elizabeth felt her eyes widen at the nods on the other three women's faces shocked that Robin seemed to be going along with their plan.
"Uh, ladies, I ..." This wasn't what she wanted, she wanted Jason to love her, but if he loved Sam, she wanted him to be happy.
"Don't get a vote in this part." said a smug Skye. "This has been decreed by someone with more power."
"Where to?" asked Claudia. When the red head said the Quartermaine gatehouse, she tossed the keys to Robin and said "I hope you know where it is and can handle this thing, I need a nap."
center~~*~~/center
In Bensonhurst, Sonny ranted, he raved and all he got was told to leave before he was arrested by the police. Olivia looked at the man who had two-timed her cousin and her and said "Sonny, Dante knows, why do you think he was so eager to get an in, he wants you gone. I don't think your charm is going to work this time."
After he had left, she called Kate who told her the news. "Trevor got me fired; he knew about Dante and had talked Warren into hiring me because of my past with Sonny. What now?"
"What about your other plan?" asked Olivia. "Your own magazine."
"That one is out, Jasper Jacks wants it in Port Charles and I have no interest in moving someplace that close to Sonny. I know what I went through before." she said thinking about how she had loved him only to be betrayed by the man. "How did it go there?"
"I don't think Sonny believed me." she said with a heavy sigh. "I am afraid, Connie. He is going to push and push and we both know that Dante will push back."
"Maybe that is a good thing." she said.
center~~*~~/center
Dante talked to his roommate and asked "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Yes, I made the deal. Are you sure about staying with me?" asked Johnny.
"Hell, yes. My aunt is going to give in to this Jacks guy. The deal is too tempting. Maybe with me around, she will remember how bad Sonny is for her. Besides, there have to be some cute and easy women in this town." he said with his own pair of dimples. "The trick is going to be finding some who haven't slept with my father."
Johnny gave a laugh then heard his phone beep. Reaching for it, he saw the newspaper and said "Here you go, one Sam McCall, she looks easy enough."
"Yes, but I know the name from her criminal file, she has been passed around between rich men in that town, including my father. So that let's her out." he said crumpling the paper.
Sam was riding high; she had been written up in the New York Daily News and was looking forward to moving her plan forward tonight. She had been busy for the last three days and Carly had been leaving messages for her at the hotel to get back to town and Jason, but she knew that she has to play it cool. Checking her phone she saw the two messages from Spinelli and the one from Jason. Looking at the time of it, she grimaced he had called the day before and she had missed it.
Seeing a familiar looking man ahead as she left the mob hotel, she called out "Sonny?"
Angry already, he offered her a ride home hoping to get information from her. By the time they reached Port Charles, he was conflicted as to what to do. He needed Jason with this heiress, but Sam knew way too much about the business for his comfort.
At the outer limits, his phone rang and he listened to Carly rant and then tossed his phone. Glaring out the window, he turned to the woman sitting in the next seat and decided to use her. He had to end Jason and her but he needed to keep the woman close so that once Jason had Elizabeth's territory he could use her to end them.
center~~*~~/center
Jason was searching around town for Elizabeth, just like several other people, but he was getting no place. When he ran into Kelly's for a quick late meal, he got his face slapped by Lulu who was shouting at him about hurting her brother.
Before he could reply, Maxie had laughed and snorted in disgust. "Lulu, you do recall Georgie and what you were doing that night, don't you?"
"It wasn't the same thing. Lucky..." Her brother was delicate and his rock had just hurt him so badly that Lulu was worried what he would do next.
"Was making his own choices with complete facts, Dillon was lied to, weren't you?" she said looking at the man trying to hide. "Your brother was the one lying, not Jason."
"I don't have time for this." said an annoyed Jason. Taking his chili he was on his way out the door when Bobbie stopped him and quietly asked how Elizabeth was?
"I don't know I can't find her." he admitted. "Bobbie, do you have any idea, I have checked every single place I can think of."
"Oh, please tell me you aren't running after muffin face?" asked a scornful Carly who had been in back with her mother. "Well, of course you are, she has your kid and Lorenzo's local properties."
"No, Carly that isn't it. Have you done what I said, did you talk to Sam, ask her about the message I left yesterday?" he asked "I had already gotten Sam out of the penthouse with the least amount of trouble, the last few weeks were about damage control with the two of you. Like I said, we are done."
Walking out the door, he ignored her calling out his name. Then calling the new guy, he asked "Did you find the geek?"
Kurt looked at the kid buying a cell phone and said "Do you want him?"
"No, just get his laptop. Be discreet." he ordered then went to figure out where Elizabeth had gone. He had one more stop then was going to Skye's, Milo had said she had returned to the Quartermaine mansion earlier that evening, but that Elizabeth hadn't been with her.
He had tried GH, hoping that Robin would know, but Patrick Drake had said she was in surgery. He was running out of options. Finally at midnight, after a close call at Jake's with an apparently clueless Sam showing up, he had avoided her thanks to Coleman, Jason knew he had to get some rest, maybe think things through with a clear head.
Letting himself into the gatehouse, he was slipping up the stairs and went into the first bedroom kicking off his shoes when he heard someone in the bed moan. After allowing his eyes to adjust to the dark, he leaned against the low dresser and smiled at the sight in front of him.
Elizabeth was fast asleep; Cam had his head on her arm while they were covered with a thick comforter. Knowing he couldn't use his favorite hidey-hole on the Quartermaine estate, Jason went to one of the spare rooms and laid down on the bed, listening as the heater kicked on. Slowly falling asleep, he let himself image a future with his family, grateful that the Quartermaines seemed to be helping for once without wanting anything in return.
Emily stalked up the stairs, angry with Nik. How dare he, what could he have possibly been thinking. It was like the past all over again. When she had turned up at his house angry with Elizabeth, he had sat there at his desk, seeming to not care at all about her wants.
He had dared suggest she abandon his brother, when Lucky, poor, poor Lucky had no one to stand by him. Even Luke had done a disappearing act, after her brother had lost his mind and threatened him. She was just at her bedroom door when she found it locked. Blinking in shock, she tried again.
Nothing. Hearing a door open she saw Monica standing there wearing a bathrobe with her arms crossed. "We need to talk. Meet your father and me downstairs in the library."
"What is this about? Can't it wait until morning?" she asked exhausted. No one knew where Elizabeth was and she had seen Jason running around looking. She had to find her friend before her brother did. She had to help poor Lucky.
"No, we should have done this week's ago." she said firmly.
Emily arrived in the room and saw her dad and mom drinking coffee and whispering as she entered. "Emily are you back on drugs?"
Shocked she said "No, why would you even ask that?"
"Because of your behavior of late, what else are we supposed to think? Today is just the latest incident since your returned from Russia with Nik and Spencer. The lies, the backstabbing of your best friend. This sudden and blinding need for her to be with Lucky. When Skye said something I thought she was just starting trouble, but then... then I saw you at the wedding today, and heard what you said to Carly afterwords." said a shocked Monica. "So, we are not going to enable another child. You are going to take a drug test, then go into counseling with Lainey either way."
"I am an adult, I make my own decision, but I am not on drugs. I will agree to the drug test, that is all." she said. "Now I am going to bed."
"Emily this isn't a democracy, you don't get to negotiate for a better deal. Otherwise you are not staying here. Not after what I saw and heard today." she said firmly. "Know one thing, we love you, but we are not going to put up with your behavior. At the very least you owe Elizabeth an apology, and I doubt there is anything you can do to repair your friendship."
"AJ was right, you would do anything to get back in Jason's good graces." she said bitterly. "Even toss me out because I called that slut on her behavior against poor Lucky. You would take Elizabeth, Elizabeth and her lies over your own child? Why?"
]
"Because Elizabeth didn't lie and she isn't a slut." said Alan with a worried look at Monica who seemed to be about to cave when she saw Emily's hurt. "And you of all people know that. I agree with your mother, you are out of control. Think things through, Em. For now, I have arranged for you to have an apartment in the complex down the street from GH."
Emily walked out the door and drove off, her mind registering someone was staying at the Gatehouse but assuming it was Ned who had come in the night before in regards to ELQ business. When she knocked on the Spencer door, she saw a drunk Lucky staggering to let her in.
Seeing the beer bottles, she felt bad for her friend and soon they were undressed and in bed. Waking up early the next morning, she felt sick at what she had done and quickly and quietly got dressed fleeing to the hospital.
Hearing someone calling her name, she saw Carly with Sam and told them on her way to the locker room. "I have an early surgical rotation, meet me for lunch."
In fact she didn't, but she needed to shower, to wash away the horrible mistake before she saw Nik. In the shower, she saw the bruises on her breasts and started to cry when she recalled they hadn't used anything.
center~~*~~/center
Carly suggested Sam head back to Alexis' that she was going to go home and get some sleep. Arriving she heard a noise and turned around to see Jax and the boys getting ready to leave for the day. "I am having Milo drive them to school, you stay right here."
Once they were gone, Jax entered and avoided her kiss saying "Where were you?"
"Out, Jason needed my help." she replied defiantly.
"I am sure he did." was all Jax said then added "Your final divorce papers came. I explained to the boys that there would be no wedding, but if they want I will try to still spend time with them."
"What?" she asked still trying to wrap her mind around the words. "What are you saying?"
"That I am done. We were a mistake, one I am glad I discovered before I married you. Thankfully I had an offer on the hotel and I am going to take it for my share. I am done." he said walking to the door. "My bags are already in the car, if you find anything else of mine, do me a favor, burn it."
"Wait! Why are you so angry?" she asked.
"Not angry, resigned. While I was away fixing some things for you, for us and our future, you, you were screwing it up. Why? To keep control of the man you refer to as your best friend, well no more. By the way, your partner in crime, Emily. She was only helping because of Helena. She did something to her, I gave the proof to Cassadine last night. She was behind what Jerry did, not that you care."
"Jax, please, give me a chance to explain. Elizabeth Webber doesn't deserve to be happy and to have Jason, she isn't worthy of him, I had to save him." she said grabbing his arm, pleading with him. She couldn't lose Jax, not because of that bitch Elizabeth. "He wants to be with Sam, he really and truly does. Elizabeth is trying to trap him into her life with a baby, can't you see that. He made a mistake and slept with her without thinking of the consequences. He barely knows the real her, she is a liar and a cheat and she wants him because he is rich, so that she won't have to work ever again."
"Sounds a lot more like you are describing yourself or Sam. As for knowing the real her, he has known her for ten years, Carly. But then he has known you for longer and you certainly have been fooling him all this time, haven't you." he said with scorn. "Carly, there is nothing to salvage here."
center~~*~~/center
Jason slipped downstairs and found food in the kitchen, getting to work; he was making breakfast when he heard tiny footsteps. "Who are you? Wait, you are Jason!" he said while rubbing his eyes.
"Yes, I am Jason, hello Cam. Are you hungry?" He asked the little boy wearing the chuggin charlie footed pajamas.
Seeing his nod yes then look down, Jason saw he was shy but knew that food would get his attention. "How about some eggs and toast and some juice?"
"Chocolate milk?" he asked with a grin that reminded Jason of his mother.
"I will see if I can find any." he said only to see Elizabeth entering the kitchen looking tousled. She didn't say a word just pulled out the syrup before telling Cam to head in to the living room. "Charlie is on."
Then looking coolly at Jason, she asked "Let me guess, hurting Sam now doesn't matter because now I have something that Sonny wants, why else would you be here?"
"No, you are wrong. I, we need to talk." he said getting that he might have been better off to tell her what was going on days ago. "First, what did Luke have on you?"
"He was using how much I used to care about you to blackmail me, since you committed perjury on my behalf in regards to Zander's death." She said hurt that she was risking everything for him and he hadn't even cared. That given the first chance she knew Carly would be able to convince him to steal her baby away.
Closing his eyes he asked "Why didn't you come to me?"
With a sad chuckle, she said "Should I have brought my entourage, Emily, your sister who is obsessed with me marrying Lucky, Lucky who had barely let me out of his sight unless Emily was there. Or how about that geek friend of Lulu's who has been stalking me for days in between shouting at the top of his lungs about how you are remodeling the penthouse for the goddess. How you wish to wipe away all the reminders of your horrible mistake with me for her. What happened to no regrets, Jason?"
Seeing the hurt in her eyes, he said "I need you to trust me, and then after breakfast we have to take a drive, please?"
Elizabeth felt her stomach growl and thought about it, before shaking her head in disgust. "I am too hungry to put up a good fight right now, so yes."
Jason gave a lightning quick grin and then ordered her into the other room with Cam. Finishing cooking, he put two glasses of the syrup filled milk and the omelets on a tray before joining them just as the Charlie theme song ended. When the next cartoon came on, Elizabeth turned off the television to Cam's pout.
Elizabeth devoured hers and then ate half of Jason's while he was helping Cam to his amusement. "Don't you ever eat? Does no one feed you?"
"Look, I am eating for two, and besides yesterday someone called me fat and I decided to embrace the label for the two months I have left." she said gleefully stealing his toast while getting up to go and get more to milk drink.
Hearing Cam giggling, he asked "What is so funny?"
"Mommy, Grams calls her the human garbage can." he said his lilting laugh causing Jason to smile then outright chuckle when the little boy sobered up and said "But we aren't suppose to tell Mommy that, okay?"
There was a knock at the door and Jason cautiously opened it to see Georgie Jones standing there carrying a backpack. "Hi, Jason I didn't know you would be at the Gatehouse. I am here for Cameron; Is he ready?"
Elizabeth came back into the room and said "I am sorry, Georgie, I forgot."
"No problem Elizabeth, I can get him dressed, okay Cam?" she asked while leading him up the stairs to the room with his suitcases. Once he was wearing warm clothes, she came down to the living room and asked "Does he need to be home at any particular time?"
"No, just give me a call and I can pick him up." said Elizabeth before kissing her son goodbye as he left on his play date. "Georgie, if you see Lucky..."
"He isn't to be in twenty feet of Cam, my dad told me. Don't worry, Elizabeth. Dad has already given me the lecture and I believe he had a similar talk with the detectives at the station. I, uh, I do have to tell you, that Maxie usually has lunch with me."
Seeing her wince, she said "She promised to be on her best behavior."
Jason soon had Elizabeth herself bundled up and was explaining how he had found her. "No one knows you were staying here?"
"No, I will explain why I was staying here in a bit, it wasn't what you think, I promise. I know that I have broken promises to you before, but Elizabeth, the day Alan woke up, he said some pretty harsh things to me, things I needed to hear. He was right, I have been taking the easy, the lazy way out."
"Jason, I don't want to be an obligation, why do you think I turned down your proposals? You love Sam, which became very clear in the elevator. Just because I ended things with Lucky and the truth is now out, doesn't mean you have to take care of me, I was doing just fine long before you came into my life." she said.
Pulling into the garage, Jason called Milo and said "Where are they?"
"Sam is at the television studio, hung over after trashing a hotel room. Carly is at home, bawling her eyes out. Mr. Jacks left her when he found out about what she had been doing. The boss is looking for you, though." he warned. Unlike Max his loyalty was to Jason, not Sonny.
"Thanks, keep an eye on that kid. Even without his laptop, he can be trouble." With that Jason took her up to the old penthouse floor. Seeing only one door, she saw Jason using a biometric entrance system to open the door.
Having her enter before him, he said "This is what I have been up to." She could see the Italian influences as she walked around the expansive downstairs. The study, the weight room, the large living room with an alcove for what she assumed was his pool table. Looking at the very nice kitchen and then the medical room; that one surprised her a bit, but when they went back to the front area, to what she had believed to be the terrace, she was stunned to see that it was a greenhouse.
Walking out onto the grass, she looked up at the glass and steel enclosure. There were trees in pots, and a another shock further in, a Chuggin Charlie play set along with a train encircling along the outside of the entire area. "Jason, what is this? And when did you have time..."
"I started planning it, long ago." he said not telling her it had been for a stand alone house for them years ago then adapted to include Cam when he had finally got a chance to do it. Most didn't know that he owned the building, not Sonny. Sonny had owned his penthouse but Jason had been pushing for years for him to sell it to him, with the extra space he had had the plan adapted. Now he had to get Elizabeth upstairs.
Pointing out the wrought iron staircase, Jason led her back inside and said "There is a second staircase by the medical room, the main staircase over there and this." When he pushed a button the wall moved aside and there was an elevator waiting for them.
"It only goes between these two floors, unless there is an emergency, then you can use it to escape to a hidden car in the garage." he said. Arriving on the second floor, Elizabeth saw the five bedrooms. One clearly a master and four other bedrooms along with a set of staff rooms but the part that had her crying was that the iron staircase accessed only one room. She found herself standing in what could only be an art studio. "Jase..." he felt the tears flowing as she buried her head into his chest.
Rubbing her back, Jason said "I didn't remodel this place for anyone but you in mind. I lied to Sam; I just wanted her gone so that I could do this without interference. I want you to look at one more thing."
Taking her hand, he led her into the room that the interior architect was using as a work room and showed her the plans and the dates on them. She was shocked to see that they had been drawn years before. The addition of a playroom had been added in September of the past year. Before she had known she was pregnant. "I don't understand?"
"Elizabeth, we have done this dance for so long. But no more; I knew that if I didn't give you a choice, if I presented this as already done..." Looking down, he said "I know that you just ended things with Lucky, but please, at least consider moving in with me?" He wanted to marry her but knew that if he pushed her too far her stubbornness would keep her from saying yes.
Seeing her uncertainty, he growled when he heard someone downstairs. Going to the staircase, he saw his new attorney and swore softly. "Elizabeth, please?"
"I want to say, yes. You have no idea how badly I do." she said "And if were just me, I would. But Jason, please understand that it isn't just me. That I have to consider Cam and how your life would affect him." she said.
"I get it, the danger, it is ..." He was feeling rejected but knew he had to give her more time.
Elizabeth interrupted him and said "It's not the danger, it's … Jason. I can't let Cam be made to feel second best again. You... like I do with Lucky, did with Lucky. You need to make some choices as well. I am not saying for you to chose, between your friends and me. I just need to know that you can put our family first. That is something I have always felt since we first met that I was never more important than Sonny, than Carly. I can't do this, if I am going to be second to them again because I wasn't second, I felt like I came last. I am not talking about work, but about your personal life."
Seeing his face, she didn't give him a chance to talk, continuing. "I know that I have been guilty of that too, in regards to Lucky, to his family. But I am learning, all I am asking is can you make changes too?"
He already was, but Jason got that once again he had left her out of it while making plans. "Yes, I can. I have already started. Elizabeth, we need to have an open discussion at some point and we both need to be honest about a few things." he said with a heavy sigh. "But right now, my new attorney is downstairs; upset she hasn't earned enough to buy another pair of Italian shoes with points. She is waiting for you, too."
Heading down the stairs, Elizabeth said "You were at my non-wedding, why were you there?"
Seeing Jason's embarrassment, she said "I was there to represent my client if he had need of me, unfortunately for my shoe budget, he didn't. I was hoping for at least one 911 call in regards to him instead of your ex-husband. He couldn't afford to keep me in the cleaner needed for my shoes, let alone two pairs."
Elizabeth smiled at her direct approach then her smile dropped and she said "The police showed up?"
"Oh, yes. You do know how to toss quite a shindig. Mr. Spencer assaulted someone I believe to be his half-brother when he tried to stop him from chasing after you. Then said brother got into an argument with the woman I believe to be your best friend and my client's sister. Followed by Mrs. Corinthos asking a woman named Alexis to represent Mr. Morgan in a custody battle."
Seeing Elizabeth's fear, she said "I do believe that the woman; Alexis Davis told Carly to stuff her idea someplace rather tight at least according to Miss Davis. Something about her having my clients balls in her jewelry box and that Mr. Morgan seemed to have stolen them back. Then something about her daughter. I gather she didn't want to go home and deal with said child. Something about her glassware and a temper tantrum in the making. However she had had a couple of glasses of champagne and was laughing hysterically, so what do I know."
"Sorry about that." Elizabeth told Diane, only for the woman to say.
"Oh, don't be. He owes me a new suit because someone named Big Alice spit out her champagne when someone named Dillon announced that he finally got why you were smiling about the mobster comment. That you had slept with a mobster, just not the one your ex was thinking."
Wincing at that one, Elizabeth tried to feel sad but knew that not a single person there had stopped to check on her beforehand other than Robin, nor had they ever asked her about her feelings in regards to the mistake that had almost taken place.
"Now as to why I am here; Mr. Morgan here are the papers you requested." she said then handed Elizabeth a set. "These are a set for your records. The first is adoption papers for Cameron Steven Webber from here on out to be known at Cameron Steven Morgan."
Jason was considering gagging the woman when Elizabeth looked at the papers in a daze. But before he could reach the woman, she kept going. "This is a copy of Mr. Morgan's refusal to accept anything you inherit from Lorenzo Alcazar should you receive anything after the will is probated."
Shocked she saw Jason and knew he was embarrassed. "This is something I don't agree on, but he is insisting on it. It is a quit claim in case of a divorce. He agrees to relinquish custody of any minor children that are the result of your union."
Seeing her shock, Jason glared at Diane until she shut up. Then said "I wanted to allay all fears you could possibly have or to make you realize that no matter what lies that Carly or Sam or Emily come up with, they are just that lies. I want this because I love you and want a future with you. One that includes more kids, someday." he added with a grin that had Elizabeth trying not to smile.
"Jason, but this, it's too much." she said. "There is a good chance I won't receive anything from Mr. Alcazar and I am not sure I want anything." She felt ill about this anyhow, she got the feeling the bossy brunette had given up the estate to gain her freedom and wished their was another way.
"Good, now say yes." ordered Diane. "I have a marriage license and it needs both your signatures."
"Diane, go away." said Jason as nicely as he could. When she went to protest, she found herself escorted to the door. Outside was the hard looking woman from the meeting and she pushed her way in.
"Ms. Zachara, I don't have time for you." he said annoyed when the woman looked around then moved towards Elizabeth with a purposeful stride.
"Good, because I am not here for you; Elizabeth, Skye sent me to get you. She was going to send the bird doctor but I figured she would be too softhearted. Mr. Morgan, if you want her you are going to have to woo her. Try chasing her for a change instead of always letting the woman do the work." she snapped and pulled a stunned Elizabeth out the door ignoring her request for her purse.
"Don't worry, fat girl, I can well afford to buy you lunch." she said watching as Morgan stood there, her words sinking into his brain. "Besides, maybe Johnny will have shown up."
Jason heard that part just as the door closed. Calling down, he told the guard to keep them there and ran down the fifteen flights of stairs. Arriving at the bottom, he was told "Sorry, Mr. Morgan, they were faster than me."
"A woman in four inch heels and another who is seven months pregnant are too fast?" he asked sarcastically. "I hope all of our enemies are elderly ladies carrying bricks in their purses, otherwise we don't stand a chance."
"Well, no bricks." said Audrey Hardy as she entered from the garage. "But do you know why my granddaughter just left here when she left me to meet her?"
]
Jason said "I called and left the message, can you come upstairs?"
Audrey had had a rough few days and couldn't resist giving someone else a hard time. Turning to the guard, she handed over her purse with a straight face and asked "Do you want to check for bricks?"
Laughing as his usually calm boss closed the elevator doors after the elderly woman and him, the guard called Milo and said "What have you gotten me into. You didn't tell me that the Zacharas were involved. Jason wants my head for letting them get away."
"Don't worry. Dr. Robin explained it all while I was on her earlier." he said while walking down the hospital corridor. The doctor in front of him stopped then grabbed the guards arm and asked "You were what with Dr. Robin before. On where?"
Milo thought back then laughed out loud. "Not what you are thinking, not in this lifetime. I prefer blonds."
"Good, keep it that way. Who knows with your dangerous profession just when you might need me to perform surgery on you." warned Patrick as he called looking for his errant girl friend.
Jason sat Audrey down and told her everything, his past with Elizabeth, the night of the blackout and finally how he wanted a future with her granddaughter. "I am not going to ever truly be out, but there are ways of minimizing it. I know that I am not the man you would have preferred for her, but I love her."
"Jason, I don't like what you do, I can't deny I have a problem with it, but that isn't my biggest worry. You surround yourself with people, people who use you and hurt my granddaughter. I don't trust you, but then I did trust Lucky and look how that turned out. Were you aware he shoved her?"
"Yes, she refused to let me handle it." he said. "I wanted to."
"That is what I am talking about." she said "You would do anything to protect Sonny, Carly and his family from danger and emotional harm, but while doing so you have hurt my granddaughter. What is to prevent you from doing so again?"
"I have woken up, I know that isn't really enough of a reassurance, but it is the truth. I have always tried to be the peacemaker, never realizing that they don't want peace with Elizabeth. They want her gone, and the only reason is that they know how I feel. I didn't want to believe that people who repeatedly told me how they worried about me were lying. That they didn't want the best for me, they only wanted me to exist to serve them." he said sadly. "I have a very rude awaking."
center~~*~~/center
Sam was trying to locate Jason, but every place she went she was told that she had just missed him. Stooping to visit Carly who was working at the Metrocourt bar, she asked "What is going on?"
"I gave you one assignment and you failed at it. Well, now she has Jason wrapped around her finger and we are on the outside. You can't do anything right, can you?" she snapped slamming her pen down.
"What are you talking about?" she asked. "Jason left me a garbled message two days ago and I haven't been able to reach him yet. What do you know?"
Carly said "Elizabeth Webber." Looking the woman in the eyes, she saw she truly didn't know what was going on.
"What, she got married, didn't she? Carly what the heck happened?" asked Sam as she paced up and down in forgetting the bar patrons. Then thinking on the previous night and her liquor fueled dreams, Sam started swearing.
"Elizabeth didn't marry Lucky; Jason announced that he is the father of her child." Hearing Sam gasp in joy, she said "Don't get your hopes up, he also learned that Lorenzo Alcazar left Elizabeth half his fortune. Sonny has already warned me off, saying Jason has to marry her."
"Over my dead body, I don't care if it is only for the baby and the territory." She snapped then went to find her fiancee, or rather the man she was going to marry. There was no way she was losing a chance for a kid to raise with Jason.
Carly just hung up, knowing that Sam was about to run into a brick wall. Calling over to Jake's she asked Coleman where Jason was?
"He didn't say anything when he left." Said the bartender who saw the man in question entering for the side door. Getting his attention, he turned off the cordless phone and said "Mrs. Jacks just called and Miss McCall was here looking for you earlier."
"Good, I am going to be moving out, but you should keep the room like it is." He said giving him a thousand dollars. "For your trouble, just remember to keep my comings and goings quiet."
"Your sister was here earlier, she looked pretty rough, Morgan." He warned as the man walked out.
center~~*~~/center
Emily was avoiding Nik, not that that was too hard. He was angry with her and she knew he was waiting for her apology. Seeing the pregnant form of her friend up ahead, Emily called out to Elizabeth who turned to the woman with her then turned around. "Emily."
"Look, I get it, I finally get it. I did something I am not proud of, I get how it happened, how you would regret sleeping with Jason. Look, Lucky will forget, he will get over this." She said. "I just know the two of you will get back together. Just give him time to accept that you made a mistake, we are all human, even you."
Claudia looked at the woman and moved in closer, "Are you on something?" Elizabeth looked at Emily then sighed. "Em, when you are ready for help, let me know. One thing, I don't regret what happened between Jason and I. Neither one of us did. Why is it so hard for you to accept this?"
"Because you belong with Lucky." She said earnestly. "You know it, deep down. Lucky and Liz."
"Emily, my name is Elizabeth, not Liz. You know that I hate that nickname." Walking away, she went into the restaurant and sat down with the Zachara woman following her. "Now why did you really want me to join you?"
"I wanted to introduce you to John." She said waving her hand at the two men at the next table. "This is my brother, who you are not to marry, okay? And his friend Dante Falconari."
"Elizabeth Webber, I presume?" asked Dante. Elizabeth looked at him and smiled when the two men sat down.
"Good, now I should tell you, I am willing to help, but I really, don't. uh, I don't want to kiss you." Said Johnny. "I have seen Morgan, and I like my jaw where it is."
"Good, because I am not sure I should be playing along with this." She said. Then seeing Robin and Skye entering, she said "Robin, I thought you were meeting up with Georgie?"
"We are, I just needed unhealthy food first." She said then ordered a huge burger with bacon and three cheeses along with fries."
Looking her over, Dante couldn't help appreciating the freckles and asked "Have you ever slept with Sonny Corinthos?"
When Robin choked on the bread-sticks, Dante said "Should I take that as a yes?"
"No, I was friends with Brenda Barrett and at one point Sonny himself, though. Why?" She asked wondering about the strange younger man.
"Don't suppose you are up for a hot and heavy romance?" he asked looking her over."
"She has someone, a brain surgeon." Said Claudia with a slight tone of doubt in her voice.
"Sisters? Cousins?" he asked hopefully. He had had no luck the night before, not even a woman he would be willing to dance with let alone date or sleep with.
"No sisters, a mother who is attractive." Said Elizabeth. "Two cousins, one who is sweet and innocent and then there is Maxie."
"Sounds like this Maxie is my type, at least if I read between the lines." Said Dante with a grin.
"Nope, you aren't even in her league." Said Robin. "She is a bit confused right now, so stay away."
"What possible incentive is there to do this?" he asked while John just groaned.
"For you to remember I am a doctor too, that at some point you might need medical attention." she retorted.
"That might just be what he needs." Said Elizabeth with a sideways look at Robin. "Some medical attention. We have either Lainey or Kelly, so Dante, a head doctor or a baby doc?"
"Uh, I want to look them over first. So what do people do around here for fun?" asked Dante trying to get a handle on this small town.
"We spend most nights drinking in the bars, tormenting our enemies, some of us actually do some work." Said Robin. "When we aren't, my boyfriend plays with toy race cars."
"Exciting." Said Dante sarcastically. "So, it looks like it is going to be women."
Claudia saw her future husband entering the restaurant and let the rest of them know she was going to speak to Sonny. "Mr. Corinthos, we should make some plans for our wedding, now that your marriage is officially over."
The blond standing with him, heaved and hissed before turning to her and saying "Your what?"
"Marriage." She said with a smile at the pissed off blond. "And you would be?"
"Carly, Carly Corinthos." She spit out the words like nails as she took an assessing look at the other woman. "Sonny's wife."
Looking her over, Claudia turned to Sonny and said "I see why you are divorcing her yet again. Well, Ms. Corinthos, your ex-husband must not have mentioned we were getting married. I hope we can find some time to get together for some girl talk. Maybe you can give me some pointers." With that she bared her teeth in a semblance of a smile while thinking that getting Corinthos to cheat would be even easier than she had thought.
Carly grabbed Sonny's arm and pulled him into her office and said "What is she talking about? Why would she believe she is marrying you, Sonny?"
Knowing he had to get it over with, he said "Because she is right. We are getting married; it is going to be a marriage of convenience in exchange I get half of the Zachara territory. It was part of the deal reached; Jason will bring some of the Alcazar territories, specifically the docks and the old cannery when he gets Elizabeth to marry him."
Seeing her grimace, he said "It's not like it has to be a long marriage, any more than mine to Claudia. And this way he can get his child."
center~~*~~/center
Jason quickly left his private meeting with Don Sandoval that he had scheduled after Elizabeth had left with Claudia Zachara. The man had assured Jason that Johnny was only a back up idea, if he couldn't manage to close the deal with the mother of his child. Jason had started sweating until Dano had grinned and said "I get it, I don't like the way you are doing things backwards but I get it. It was my idea that you romance the woman, prove that you can put her first, instead of letting the putta's in your life control it. Man up, Mr Morgan, fight for what you want. Earn her love and more importantly her trust."
Driving back to Port Charles, he entered the Metrocourt looking for Jasper Jacks. Instead he saw Elizabeth sitting at a table with two younger men and Robin Scorpio.
When she went to the ladies room, he slipped around the lobby hoping to intercept her on her exit only to get an earful as he heard Sonny and Carly's meeting. Shaking his head as Sonny did exactly what he expected, Jason was trapped when he saw Sam lurking around the office.
When instead of Carly she followed Sonny, he decided to see what she was talking to him about. "Sonny, Jason dumped me. I had to find out from a voice mail. What does she have to offer him besides the baby and this money. He could easily get his baby, after all she lied to everyone about it. And we both know you are good enough to get the power without some whiny woman."
"Sam, you need to back off, for now. Let Jason deal with Elizabeth, I promise it is just business and the baby. You should know that, why are you so worried?" he asked the small woman.
Jason was furious, walking away, he saw Carly was missing from her office and had a bad feeling that only intensified when he saw she was standing outside the women's room holding onto Elizabeth's arm. As he rushed over, he saw Elizabeth look at him over her shoulder then said to Carly. "Carly if you truly believe that, why don't you tell Jason."
"Why would I bother him with a nothing like you? Now take my advice and save all of us the headache of a court case. It's not like you won't still have one kid, anyhow." She said only to hear a hiss behind her. Turning she saw Jason and said "I can explain."
Elizabeth walked away, then said to Jason "Cameron and I are going to grams, we need to talk later." Jason offered to walk her to her car but she just looked at Carly then him and said "No, I think Carly wants a chance to explain how you are a better parent then I am, funny coming from the woman who lets the nanny raise her kids."
Jason was frustrated and furious as he watched her walk away, knowing he had to find a way to get through to Carly.
"Explain." He said then listened as she verbally attacked Elizabeth's skills as a mother, then claimed she had to be lousy in bed since both of her husbands cheated on her then went on to point out that Ric had been married to Elizabeth while he had held her hostage, sure that it would remind Jason of that terrible time.
"Carly, what part of that makes Elizabeth responsible, we all know she wasn't aware of what Ric was doing. As for Lucky and Ric cheating on her, that wasn't her fault. Why don't you go home and check on your own kids, did you even spend time with them today?"
"Jason, they have Leticia. I don't have to be there every single minute that is why I have a nanny." She said "That is the difference between being rich and poor. Poor kids go to daycare and people like us get quality care for our children."
"And this makes Elizabeth a bad mother? Really? You might want to take a whiff of what you are shoveling. I already told you I am done with you, and you wanted to know why? This is why, your constant attacks on Elizabeth just because you know I love her." He said "Why?
Walking away, Jason made a quick decision and called Sandoval. "I accept your deal, but if you..."
"Don't worry Mr. Morgan, I was just opening your eyes to what was going on. Now you work on winning the heart and soul of your woman."
center~~*~~/center
Elizabeth went to pick up Cameron from the Scorpio house, only to see her son talking to Mac as he ate
chicken noddle soup and what looked like a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. "Mommy, Mr. Mac makes really good peanut butter sandwiches, he uses rapberries."
With a laugh, Mac said "Georgie ran upstairs to change clothes. Thank you for letting her take Cam so she could fulfill her assignment."
Seeing the younger girl coming down the stairs in jeans and a thick fisherman's cable turtleneck, she said "No, I owe her. I think it is safe to say Cam had a good time."
"You should have seen him today when we met up with a few of my classmates. He got quite a bit of loot." she said picking up the small backpack and handing it to Elizabeth who saw all the candy and looked at her in confusion.
"Let's just say, when he gets older. I doubt he will ever have any trouble getting dates." she said. Then turning to Mac asked what happened to her soup?
With a guilty expression he held up the bowl he was eating from and said "This soup?"
"Dad, I made that for Cam and me." she said. "and I thought you were making me a sandwich?"
"Uh, Georgie." said Cam looking at her. "I's eat both of them."
]Elizabeth offered to buy her some dinner when she saw she was dressed to head out, only for Georgie to say "That's okay. I am meeting Maxie at Kelly's in an hour. Dad, you know you are supposed to be watching your cholesterol and that means no soup from a can."
Mac let the two women talk about Cameron then asked Elizabeth for a few minutes before Georgie left. Taking her to the living room, he said "I need to let you know about a couple of things. First, Ric Lansing heard about your baby and Jason Morgan."
Wincing, Elizabeth knew there would be trouble from that quarter, but groaned when Mac added. "Lucky has been suspended until he has completed an anger management program and spent at least forty hours with Lainey Winters."
"He is not going to take that well." she said.
"No, he didn't. And I have even more to pile on. Carly Corinthos showed up at the station with some sort of story about you killing Zander, today. Since I was there when Zander died and we both know that you didn't do it, don't worry but be aware, the she devil is on the warpath and won't be stopped until she gets you."
"Thanks Mac." she said with a heavy sigh. "I have to get Cam home and ready for bed."
Walking out she once again thanked Georgie for taking Cam for the day and then added "As well as for getting him out of the house the day of the non-wedding. I only learned today that you were the babysitter that Skye mentioned."
"No thanks needed." she said slightly embarrassed by her sister's part in the mess.
Mac called over and had one of his officers make sure Elizabeth made it back to her grandmother's house hassle free. He didn't like this and while he knew Jason had his people protecting Elizabeth, he wasn't so sure that they would stand up to Carly.
Georgie meanwhile had joined Maxie at the diner where they were eating cheese fries, chili and burgers when they saw Lulu standing up at attention behind the counter.
"There must be cute guys, she is doing her springer pointer routine." said Maxie who then called out "Down girl."
Georgie tried to quiet her sister down then turned to see two young men who were most definitely attention getting. "Uh, wow."
The two men ignored the flirty waitress as they ordered their coffee and meal. "So, your assignment won't be too much of a hardship." said Dante. "Other than boring us to death, this town doesn't seem too bad."
Hearing the sound of arguing they saw three men entering the dinner. One who looked like a nerd, one who was obviously connected from the gun he was wearing and the third looked like your standard rich kid out for a lark.
Dante watched as the first two were talking over each other to the blond waitress, while Johnny saw the third split off and approach the two women who had gotten their attention earlier when they had come in. "Georgie, can we talk?"
"Sure, Dillon, what can I do for you?" she asked letting him sit down. When he went on about a class they had, she just looked at this man she had once been married to and said "Why weren't you paying attention, I thought you loved that class."
His face flushed and Georgie said "Find someone else's notes. Why not your new love interests?"
"Uh, Lulu doesn't take very good notes, besides we were writing back and forth so I know she wasn't pay attention. She isn't too worried though, the professor knows Luke."
"So once again, Lulu think she is going to skirt through life on her parents name." snarked Maxie. "Why don't you go and see if your stepsister is free, Dillon, and while you are up there why don't you remind our waitress we have been waiting on our check?"
"Maxie..." trailed off an embarrassed Georgie. "You didn't have to do that."
"We both know that Lulu would have used your notes too, asking you was probably her idea. How much more are you going to let her steal from you. She is a user, just like the rest of the Spencers."
Dante heard the name Spencer and recalled the file he had on his biological father and moved to the table. "Hello, I am Dante, Dante Falconari. Got a moment?"
"Why?" asked a distrustful Georgie when the other dark haired man took the last empty seat the called out to Lulu.
"Hey, Lucy, can you bring our food, here. We are joining these ladies. And since you haven't gotten around to delivering their bill yet, just add it to ours. I will get it." he said with a smile.
"Her name isn't Lucy, the most bodacious blond one doesn't have a common ordinary name like Lucy, her name is Lesley Lu Spencer, otherwise known as Lulu. It is an homage to her parents great love." said a dreamy Spinelli.
Rolling his eyes, Dante said "Whatever, can she just do her job, we still haven't gotten our creamer, yet."
"The blond one is helping us deal with a most frustrating problem at the moment." protested the geek annoying Georgie who went to the counter, picked up the creamers and the coffee pot. Walking around she hit the various empty cups in the room and then dropped off the the small bowl.
Entering the kitchen she asked the cook if he had started the orders only to be told what orders. Going back out, she took the order pad from the blond who was furious with her for her taking over and gave Jimmy it. "Why don't you get back to work?"
"Why don't you stop telling me what to do, but we both know what this is really about. You are just jealous that Dillon is here drooling over me along with the other two. Too bad you can't hold onto a man. And since you are so willing, here. I am going home." with that Lulu tossed her apron on the counter and left.
Maxie started to chase after her, but Georgie just called out. "Don't. I am calling Bobbie."
Ten minutes later, she came back out and said "She said she would talk to her and asked me to close up for the night."
"Fine." said Maxie as she walked over and locked the doors two hours early.
"Maxie, you can't do that." protested Georgie.
"Yes, I can or rather you can. We both know how reliable Aunt Bobbie's talk to her is. Lulu will somehow put this on you and she won't even get told off. So we are closing earlier." said the blond. "I will get the napkins and such, you get the rest."
"What about our food and maybe a date?" Dante asked the small blond.
"Not interested." she said. "Now you can eat your food at the counter then I would suggest heading out as Kelly's is closed."
"MAXIE!" yelled an upset Georgie. "You CAN'T DO THAT."
"She is right, you are being a doormat. Why didn't you let the blond bimbo have it?" asked Johnny as he saw the one sister start clearing the tables as they emptied.
"Look, you don't know a thing about this situation." snapped Georgie.
"No, but I know what it looks like," he said. Then he sat down and ate the food he had ordered while Dante kept trying to flirt with Maxie. As soon as they were finished, the two men helped put the chairs on the tables while Georgie reluctantly went ahead and swept.
Jimmie closed the kitchen down grateful not to have to deal with the owner's spoiled niece but as they were walking out a blond man stopped them and said "Excuse me, does Aunt Bobbie know you are closing early?"
"Well, since your sister did a flake out and left, we did what we could. If you are so concerned why don't you track down Lulu and have her come back." said Maxie.
"So, Georgie, you are ditching your job to what, go play hookie with who? Two men who look like hoods? I wonder what your dad would think of that let alone Aunt Bobbie?" sneered Lucky. Turning to the two men he said self-importantly "My boss, their father is the police commissioner."
Dante gave a soft chuckle then said "Why don't you call him. Asked Commissioner Scorpio if he objects to his daughter leaving Kelly's with Dante Falconari. See what he has to say. I would guess from the vacant expression and the oversized sense of self-righteousness along with the unwarranted arrogance that you must be the suspended detective Lucky Spencer I was asked to temporarily replace."
Lucky snorted then said "As soon as I get Mac to drop those ridiculous and unlawful requirements I will be back at work and you can slink back to NYC. He didn't need to bring you in, I am quite capable of handling my own caseload."
"I volunteered for the assignment. But I will be glad when you are back, that way I can talk the very lovely blond daughter of my temporary boss into dating." He said flirting with Maxie to annoy Spencer.
"Don't get too comfortable at my desk." warned Lucky. "I will be back doing my job soon enough. Don't screw up any of my cases by trying to work them either."
"Yes, I am sure that the citizens of Port Charles are breathing easier that Mr. Magoo will soon be back protecting his fair city." said Dante. "While I am sure the criminals are missing your bumbling around. What should I do if I stumble onto a clue? Should I draw a bright red question mark on it for you, so you won't miss it once you return to serving and protecting?"
Georgie bowed her head, then saw the shoulders of the more quiet friend shaking as he laughed quietly. Once Lucky had let himself in, Georgie called Bobbie and left a message for the red head.
"That was cruel." said Maxie with a smile. Then asked "What now?"
"How about we head to Jake's?" suggested Johnny who had found the bar earlier that day.
"I don't know, I have class tomorrow." said Georgie, the one man may be a police officer but she wasn't too comfortable with the way they seemed to be so... masculine.
"Just a couple games of pool, come on." suggested Maxie who appreciated how Dante had made fun of Lucky.
Agreeing, Georgie felt like she was making a mistake that got worse when she saw Lulu and her entourage there with the addition of Cooper Barrett and his friend the very abrasive Logan Hayes. Seeing Maxie pout, she asked "You like Cadet Cooper?"
"I thought I did." she said then looking at Dante who was smiling as he racked the pool balls and said "Well, maybe not."
Comparing the two, Georgie said "The Italian is cuter, besides I can't help wondering if Cooper's missing family is Brenda and her sister."
"OOOHHHH, we should ask." said Maxie as they joined the two men at the bar to order drinks. Maxie and Georgie got sodas while the two men got beers then moved back to their pool table waiting for the girls.
"So what should you ask? If we are single, yup." said a smiling Dante.
"No, we were wondering if the tall guy over there is related to our cousin's best friend,." said Maxie. "His name is Cooper Barrett and hers is Brenda."
Johnny felt his eyes pop, he had heard Trevor mention that name in connection to Sonny once and then looking at the younger man talking to this Cooper said "Dante, that man, there. Who does he resemble?"
"That guy we saw talking to Ric Lansing, why?" he asked Johnny surprised he had asked so openly considering he was investigating the attorney as well.
"He reminds me of Scott Baldwin, a local attorney." said Georgie, she had seen him recently at the diner and he had been rather tight with Lulu.
"Blustery man with a receding hairline?" asked Johnny. Seeing her nod, he said "We met him when Dante checked in with your father."
With his phone ringing, Johnny moved to the quiet side of the bar and answered it. "Hey, little brother, what are you doing?"
"Where are you?" he asked only for her to say no place important. Then he added "I uh, am with Dante and a couple of women at a bar called Jake's, why?"
"I just wanted to warn you, I saw Trevor at the house." she said. "He had that son of his, they were talking about a plan."
"We saw slick Ric with a man here at this bar. I will keep an eye on him." he said then hanging up overheard something that pissed him off. Moving closer, he sat down and pretended to text someone so they wouldn't be suspicious.
"So you know what to do?" said the quiet female voice as she verified he would get what she wanted.
"Yes, but you do know that the going rate is way more than you are offering me?" replied the man in the shadows as he mentally planned to screw her over.
"I need the drugs, if they work successfully, I will give you double the payment ." she replied hiding her desperation. Thanks to the feds it was hard to locate these drugs anymore.
"Fine, but even if you don't get what you want, I still get my money, got it?" he replied knowing he had to get as much up front since he intended to hand her over to a bigger fish.
"Don't worry, nothing can go wrong with my plan." she said before slinking away. The man remained seated thinking about things. He had no intention of helping her with her plan, but had no idea how to profit at first from the information. Then making another call he grinned as he got an idea.
"I need some pills, the usual. I also want you to tell your boss, that his problem has been taking care of." There had been an offer floating around town in regards to the brunette and he might be able to get double the money for half the work. "One more thing, call and an offer up the information to Morgan. I might have a way of keeping our hands clean on this deal."
"Sure thing." The man on the other line decided to call his connection for the pills, he had been debating doing so a week but with this information he might be able to skate free and clear of this mess. After calling Morgans people, he made another call. ."Rumor is you are fishing for information on Sam McCall, Five thousand and I guarantee it's good or you don't have to pay me."
TBC