PART THREE
Jason saw the silhouette in the doorway and said "AJ?" only for his brother to give a bitter laugh and leave. Looking at his mother, he felt guilty at how badly she had aged. "Mom, how long was I like this? Where is Dad?"
Releasing his hand, she asked what the last thing he remembered was.
"AJ was drunk. I went to stop him from driving. We hit a tree. Then dreams, pain, anger, and this girl..." Stopping, he said, "Mom, I have to end with Keesha, how do I do that, how do I tell her?"
Well, that was a surprise, Monica was trying to figure how to tell him that it had been almost twenty years and here he was already making plans. "Jason, you haven't been yourself for a very long time. Today's date is December 26, 2009."
Stunned, he stared at his mother. "But AJ, he looked young. He looked..."
"That wasn't AJ, that was his son. Michael."
Jason was horrified but that explained how old his mother looked. "I need to see, for myself."
Seeing him struggling, Monica went to the doorway and asked Matt Hunter to help. Jason was soon looking into the bathroom mirror. Touching his face, seeing he had aged. When he touched the very short hair, he asked: "Did they cut it?"
"When you were in surgery, they had to shave your head." said the doctor as he helped Morgan get back into bed. Hearing a commotion, Matt saw Carly, Sonny and Sam McCall all arguing with Patrick.
"I want to see my fiancee." snapped Sam.
Monica quickly stepped into the hallway and closed the door. "My son never meet you. Sonny, I think we both recall how Jason Quartermaine felt about you, so don't go in there until I get him up to speed. Carly, same for you."
Nodding the blond said, "Momma told me that Michael was here when he woke up."
"He is why he woke up," Monica explained and Carly looked horrified.
"He could have... what on earth was Michael thin..." Monica quickly went back into the room before Sam could slip in.
She knew what Dr. Winters advice would be, she had gone through this before but this time she was doing this her way. Maybe this time she wouldn't lose her son. "There is so much more I have to tell you before others show up and do so."
Hearing a knock on the door, she glared until she saw Patrick standing there. "Jason, I need to run some tests."
"Okay, first can you tell me who you are?"
"Patrick Drake, I have been your primary physician. I am going to wait until tomorrow to run most of the tests, but we need to do some basic cognitive tests."
As they went through the flashcards, Jason quickly and correctly told him the answers to what was on the card and the simple math problems he asked. "Okay, I need you to tell me about you."
"Jason Morgan Quartermaine. My mother is Monica, my father is Alan. Lila and Edward are my grandparents. AJ my older brother and Emily who was adopted a couple of years ago. One aunt, Tracy. A fiancee, Keesha Ward. I was studying to be a doctor." he added well aware that time had passed that dream by.
Patrick nodded then saw Monica with tears in her eyes as she stepped outside the room where Robin was waiting. Monica asked why she wasn't checking on Jason.
"Since the last time he saw me, I was a kid, I didn't think he would be too comfortable with me as his doctor," she said with a wry grin. Looking down the hallway, she saw Carly and Jax talking heatedly.
Planning to stop whatever scheme Carly was up to, she got quite an earful. "You have to be wrong. I was there, Michael was fine with things."
"Then why did he tell me he hated Jason, why did he disconnect his breathing machine? You are not facing this, Michael is angry, very angry at Sonny, Alexis, Jason and you."
"You're wrong, I know my son." she said then looking at Jax, she said, "Why would he try to kill Jason?"
"That isn't what I am saying, Carly. He didn't try to kill him, but Michael is not planning on being warm and fuzzy with his Uncle anytime soon. Please, for Michael's sake, stop hiding your head in the sand."
Jason was numb as Monica slowly told him the news. She didn't go into details, just basic facts. "Your dad had a heart attack two years ago. Lila died in her sleep about five years ago. Emily was strangled at her engagement party to Nik Cassadine. AJ died here at GH when someone he was working with turned on him."
Shaking, he asked about Edward. With a smile, Monica said, "He will outlive us all."
"So I was awake and walked away from the family. Went to work for Sonny? Why? I hate that man." he said. "AJ has a son that I allowed Sonny Corinthos to raise? What happened to me?"
"A lot of things, there is more, but for now, you need sleep. You have been fighting it for the last half hour." said the older woman as she hugged him yet again. "Edward will be here in the morning. I didn't let Alice wake him up."
"Who is Alice?" he asked as he scooted down in the bed.
"Reginald's replacement."
"Granddad finally got him fired for those leather pants didn't he?" asked Jason as he fell asleep.
Kissing his forehead, Monica murmured, my poor sweet boy, there is so much more to tell you. Out in the hall, she saw Sonny by the door. Walking over, she said "I am sure you were eavesdropping. Do you think you should be here?"
"Not now." replied the mobster. Sighing he went home hoping that Dante would take his job offer. With Jason gone he needed a second in command and who better than his eldest son. Then thinking on it, Sonny smiled and went to see Bernie. With Jason Morgan gone, he would be able to access his funds after all they were partners.
Bernie hid his disgust but explained. "Monica has all of Jason's funds. All of his accounts were transferred over to her and I don't have the new access codes."
Sonny paced back and forth raging at his accountant, make that former accountant. "Why the hell would you give her them She shouldn't have even known about them."
"She got the numbers from Jason's safe. She moved everything," he said as Sonny slammed out the door and then came right back in again. "What about his shares in the business?"
"All yours, Monica transferred them over with the caveat that if he woke up Jason Morgan they are returned." Bernie mentally thanked the gods when Sonny fired him for not telling him about the transfers, then called John Zachara and said: "I was fired."
"Good, I want to take the bastard down." The Italian hung up the phone and turned to the man standing there. "Thank you, Mr. Corelli. I only wish I had gotten here sooner."
Standing over his sister's cold body, he said: "Which of them did it?"
"Max, on Sonny's orders." replied the former guard. "With Jason gone, things are going to go quickly, did you read what I had sent?"
Nodding curtly, Johnny said, "He got lucky when Jason came to work for him, didn't he?"
"He was thanking his lucky stars." With that, the older man walked away going back to his new life. "Try Roy DeLuca in Miami if you need anything more."
Johnny had spent the last month getting the goods on Corinthos. Leaving the funeral parlor, he made a call and got the news. Thanking the person on the other end, he said: "Don't take any more chances..."
The next morning, Elizabeth, Jack, and the boys were on a plane heading to Port Charles. Steven had received a call saying Jason had woken up but it didn't deter her from facing things. Jack and she had debated on what to tell the boys but had just decided to keep it at that Jack was staying with them.
Audrey had been ecstatic, making her feel guilty about the lies but grams had been part of her problems. When she mentioned Lucky having stopped over, Elizabeth had waited for the usual bit about working things out, but instead had been told that Audrey had told him that she hoped her granddaughter truly was happy this time.
Elizabeth knew her grams had to have heard about Jake and Jason, but the woman seemed to ignore the information when Elizabeth tried to talk about, telling her that it was water under the bridge and to forget all about it.
Sam plotted and waited. When she finally saw Patrick Drake and the nurse returning Jason to his room, she came out of the bathroom and said with tears in her eyes "Jason?"
Looking up, Jason saw the woman and thought she was Brenda and smiled pleased to see even her. But when she moved closer, he saw the look was all wrong.
Seeing the smile, Sam got a huge grin as she threw herself at Jason. "I KNEW IT!" she crowed. "I knew she was lying. Trying to keep you from your real family. I knew Monica was lying. She never liked me."
Prying the clinging shrill woman away, Jason stopped her from kissing him by biting her lip. When she pulled backing saying ouch, he said: "Who the hell are you?"
"You don't remember me?" At that, the sobs came as she said "I'm Sam McCall. Your fiancee. Don't you remember Lila, our little girl? The baby we lost? All the things we shared?"
Gently, Jason edged away, feeling guilty but firmly he sat her down in the only chair. "I don't know you. I am sorry for your loss, but all this stuff you are talking about, it wasn't me. You need to let it go. And if my mother never liked you, there had to be a reason."
Sam stood and once again tried to press in on Jason, who said: "Don't!"
"But it always was our way of getting past things before." she tried with a seductive tone of voice.
"I am trying to be nice here, but if you don't leave, I will ask Nurse Brewer to have you banned from this room. It is time for you to leave, Miss McCall."
"Why don't you go hire some men to terrorize a couple of kids and their innocent mom in the park, Samantha," said Michael from the doorway. When she was leaving, Michael looked at Jason and said as if she wasn't there. "She is right you know. You took her back after knowing she hurt a couple of little kids and their mom. But then she is a former hooker and probably knows a lot of professional tricks to keep you in bed."
Slamming the door on her way out, she was vowing to get Jason back when she saw Nik coming her way. "Who is Nurse Brewer?" she asked suspiciously. Jason had already screwed one nurse, she had no intention of losing him to another now that Elizabeth was out of the way.
Debating not answering, Nik wondered why she was asking the question so he said: "The former head nurse, she worked here when I first moved to town."
"Oh." was all she said before getting on the elevator to leave. Calling Spinelli, she went to deal with their latest divorce case, since Carly's plan to smear them, all they had gotten were divorce cases. She couldn't wait until Jason was back to normal so that he could tell her off for that one.
Jason looked at AJ's son and saw the loathing. 'You don't like me very much do you?"
Standing near the window, Michael said "No, at one point you were my hero, but now you are nothing to me. If you will excuse me, I have to go."
"Wait! Don't leave. Talk to me. Please?" asked the confused man in the bed. "What did he do? Or rather what did I do?"
Looking him over as if assessing him, Michael said "No, you haven't suffered enough. Thanks to the accident and your memory loss you get a free pass from it all, but I remember and I can't help hoping you recall all of it since it is too late to fix things. I hope it hurts, but for now, I will wait and watch."
Sitting back in his bed, Jason looked helplessly at the doorway where his nephew had gone. What had the hell happened in his life? Most of his family was dead, his doctors' tried to hide it but Drake loathed him.
Leaning back, he tried to piece together reality to the dreams he had been having. He knew they were important, but he didn't know why. All they really were were fragments. A word here, an image there. There were two that stuck out, the woman he knew he loved and that she had left him.
Monica was in her office talking to Tracy and Edward. "You need to very careful what you say. I told him the basic facts but he didn't take it very well."
Nik was talking to Lucky who looked mulish. When Edward passed by, heard what was being said. Calling Mac Scorpio, the man sighed and said: "I will handle it."
Meanwhile, Nik said "You know you cannot do that. You heard Drake, Jason isn't his self. If you go in there you are going to get..."
Answering his phone, Lucky growled and complained to his boss. "We have a right to question Morgan."
Counting to ten, Mac then said "That isn't Morgan. Now get back to the station immediately."
Stomping out, Lucky ran into Maxie who was looking annoyed. "What?"
"What is your problem?"
Not wanting to admit that the fun of being with Spinelli had worn off and that she was bored, she looked at Lucky and said: "Nothing, I hear Elizabeth suckered some poor fool into marrying her."
"They aren't married yet." he snapped as Maxie took pleasure in knowing he would make the annoying bitches life difficult when she came to town. That cheered her up as she rushed back to work.
Lying back, bored, Jason looked through the drawers, picking up a book. Nothing but a romance, but there was a picture being used as a bookmarker. Jason looked at the two boys in costume.
Holding it closer, he touched their faces feeling like he should know them. As he tried to recall the pumpkin and the clown, Jason felt sick, then heard the monitor going crazy. Sticking the picture back in the book as his heart seemed to start racing, he saw someone in a white coat rush in.
"Okay, Jason. I need you to relax," said Robin as she checked his vitals and drew some blood. Handing it off to a nurse, she said to have it tested.
As his heart slowed down, Jason looked at the girl and said "I know you. You were friends with that pest Brenda Barrett."
Laughing slightly, she said, "Well some things never change, Morgan or Quartermaine, you still don't like Brenda."
"It's not that I don't like her, its that she talks too much. That is annoying." he said then lifting his head he grinned "Robin, Robin Scorpio. You were dating Stone … Jagger's little brother last I knew."
Her smile dimming she said, "Stone died, of AIDS a long time ago."
"I'm sorry." he said then looking at her hand said, "You're married."
"To your other doctor. Patrick Drake, we have a little girl named Emma."
"Wow, now I feel old. I can remember when you used to foll..." he stopped talking as he had a memory flash. Then he looked at the woman and said: "I think you need to go now."
"Jason, I can't just leave, I am your doctor." she said gently.
"I want a different one." he snapped. Then looking at her he said, "I had a memory flash, you lying to me."
"I have never lied to you." she protested.
"I woke up, you were sitting in a chair with much longer hair and said ... you said we barely knew each other."
Flushing Robin said "That was what it felt like. You didn't even know the real me."
"But I did. I knew you, I can remember everything. All the times you followed me around, the way you had a crush on me. If you lied before how am I to know when you are telling the truth now?" he said. "Please leave."
Robin looked at Jason, then said as she walked to the door. "I never thought of it as lying, Jason. I am sorry that you do. I truly never felt like I knew Jason Quartermaine."
Closing his eyes, Jason wanted away from the situation, but instead, he could smell the perfume before the woman even entered. Opening them, he looked at her and said: "I don't know you, don't care to and please leave."
Carly felt her mouth drop, so much for Jason Q being polite. "I am looking for my son. Have you seen a boy about seventeen? Blond, blue eyes."
"AJ's son?" he asked looking at her with interest now.
Flinching at the description, she said "Michael."
"He was here earlier, but he left, Carly." Seeing her get excited like the annoying woman from earlier he snapped. "No I don't remember you, but Mom said Micheal's mother's name was Carly and that you are Bobbie Jones' daughter."
Slinking away, Carly was walking to the elevator when she heard Epiphany saying Elizabeth's name. Blatantly eavesdropping she heard the head nurse telling Kelly Lee that she was bringing her fiancee with her.
Well, Carly would see about that. Now that Jason was awake, she had a few words to say to both of them. Jason didn't remember but she did and as for Elizabeth. Well, she owed her an apology for some stuff but for other things, the woman was going to have to just listen to what she had to say.
Edward and Tracy saw Jason was asleep so they sat there not sure what to say. When Luke showed up, Tracy left and Edward sat talking quietly to what he thought was his sleeping grandson.
"You seriously screwed up. But we will fix it. Getting you away from that crowd of users is a start, but you need to man up, my boy. Grow some balls and realize that if you sleep with dogs you wake up with fleas. First Carly, and there was Sonny's sister and that tramp Sam, as well as god knows how many one night stands at that bar. You had a chance at a good one, but you blew it. She is coming back you know. Getting married, to a doctor and will be raising those boys with him. What were you thinking?"
Jason's mind went to the photograph, finally falling asleep and dreaming of a day at the park and his snow angel with two little boys and his mother. After the greeting, it got foggy while they seemed to be picnicking and playing with the boys. Jason somehow knew it wasn't real, but he also knew that he had wanted it to be.
When he woke up there was yet another person in the room, ready to snap at whoever it was, he realized it had to be an orderly from the way he was dressed. "What are you doing?"
Spinelli turned and said "My job."
"Orderly's now move furniture with patients in the room?" he asked doubtfully.
Spinelli looked at the hidden camera and grimaced saying. "I dropped my pen behind the chair, I am sorry to wake you up sir."
Sam was watching the screen and when Spinelli was out of the room she called her partner. "No problem, but he didn't recognize me."
Sam saw Jason looking through the clothes that Alice had dropped off earlier. When he went to shower, Sam licked her lips, enjoying the view as he returned in just a towel. Strangely enough in spite of the empty room, he went back to the bathroom to dress, annoying her.
She hadn't had sex since his accident, well aware that Monica really did have people watching her. She had seen them. Hearing a door opening and footsteps, she saw a young black woman nervously looking around. "Jason?"
Jason stuck his head out the door and said: "Hey, Keesha, can you wait a few minutes."
So that was Keesha thought Sam sourly. Well at least she didn't have to worry about her stealing Jason away she said with a grin as she saw the large belly. When Jason returned and with wide-eyes hugged the woman, Sam closed the computer at the sound of footsteps.
Seeing it was Maxie she opened it back up and they watched.
"It's so good to see you." Looking at her belly he said with a laugh, "I uh, woke up and was worried about breaking your heart."
"You already did that once," she said with a laugh. At his concerned look, she said "But it was the right thing to do. Um, we were making-"
"A mistake." finished Jason. "I can see that now. You know, it's strange. I look in the mirror and see a forty-year-old man with unexplained scars, but I feel like the twenty-two-year-old man just starting his internship."
"Is there anything I can help you with?" she asked.
"Tell me what happened and then tell me about your life. Are you happy?"
Getting him up to date, Keesha saw him frown at what she told him about his past. After telling him the rest she said any questions.
"Do you know how I could have gotten involved with who I did? There were two women here. A dark-haired woman who seemed mentally unbalanced. The other one is AJ"S son's mother. Then there is Robin, why on earth would I get involved with her?"
"Robin lost Stone, you were lost and she was someone to hold onto in the middle of that mess. We actually discussed this a few years ago, you came to see me in Washington."
"When?" he asked.
"Late May early June 2001. You had fallen in love with someone who was in love with someone else. That was all you told me. You were asking about how to get past the pain, that you only wanted her to be happy."
"As for the others, Carly was in the middle of the mess with Robin. She has HIV and you two weren't sleeping together. At the time you didn't get why it was wrong to sleep with one woman while you loved another."
Seeing his expression, she said "Something happened, I don't know what, but you were angry with Robin for a very long time over it, as for Carly. You said when you came home you intended to set down some rules with her. Letting her know she didn't run your life."
"I was letting her?" he asked shocked.
"She was using your love for her son to control you."
Jason got it but then asked. "Who was the woman I was in love with?"
"I don't know, you wouldn't tell me her name."
When Keesha left, Jason mulled on all she had told him, trying to accept that he had allowed someone like the overblown blond to run his life. Finally falling asleep for the night, he dreamed again. This time about riding a motorcycle on fast curvy roads with a laughing woman holding tightly onto him.
A laughing Elizabeth hugged Jack as they got out of the car. "Are you serious, this place is outrageous."
"Why not. With the drive, we will know if someone in on their way here, the security according to the guy I hired is great and best of all think of all the people who are going to be annoyed to find out you live here," he said with a laugh.
"Why do I get the feeling you are enjoying this," she said shaking her head at the huge Norman-style house in front of her. "Well, at least there are plenty of bedrooms."
"Are you okay with my plan though?" he asked awkwardly.
Looking at him she said, "Well at least I don't have to worry about you trying to seduce me."
"Come on. Let's take a look," he said as they woke up the boys and showed them the house. Seeing Cam's eyes widen at the indoor pool and bowling alley, Elizabeth saw a woman in uniform waiting for them. "Lord Ashton. I am Romport."
Elizabeth was a little scared about that part of the plan, but like Jack said she was a fully trained British nanny who could protect the boys if need be. At the stiffness, she showed them Elizabeth was ready to cancel that part until she saw her with the boys. Jake and Cam loved her in spite of her insistence on calling them, Jacob and Cameron.
"Are you ready?" he asked kissing her on the check. "Our first visitor is arriving."
An hour later, Audrey left beyond pleased with Elizabeth's choice while the 'happy couple' debated running away. "Istanbul is nice this time of year."
"What about Sydney?" she asked from the sofa. "Or maybe Wellington? It's summer down there."
"Too late, another car is pulling up," he said with a sigh as his brother got out. "Relax, it is Ned."
Going to talk to his brother, Jack and Ned found themselves in agreement to keep certain things quiet. In the end, Ned said he had to head back to LA but he would be there for the event at the Metrocourt. "I think my mother did this purposely. She wants to see everyone's face when they saw Elizabeth and you together."
"Rubbing noses into it?" asked the Brit. "You weren't kidding were you when you said she was happy about this."
"I didn't want to bring it up but she is going to tell no one. Tracy knows about your preferred type," he said with a chuckle. "That was her description."
Elizabeth went to her closet and looked at the dress. She wasn't sure about this but knew she had to stand up for herself and that party would be a good starting point. Unlike Jack, she knew they wouldn't care who she was seeing as long as it wasn't Jason no one would care.
First, though, they had to get through the visit to GH this afternoon, that was going to be the difficult part. Changing into the soft wool pants and light green sweater, she took her new coat and went downstairs to meet Jack and to thank Ned.
Saying goodbye to Jake and Cam, she laughed when Cam announced they were going bowling. Jake just said pretty balls.
"Where to first." said Jack.
"I need to check on my house if I am going to be renting it out," she replied. "Then we can call that agent you met with."
Arriving at the cottage, Elizabeth walked through the forlorn house, Steven had arranged for most of her things to be placed in storage but she still found a few items to remove from the shed. Taking Cam's discarded and too small Chuggin Charlie riding toy, she said: "I am going to donate this to the hospital since he has that new one."
Looking at her and seeing her distress he asked: "Are you sure?"
"It's time," she said. Arriving at GH she said, "Let's get this over with."
Monica was talking to Patrick about suggesting a therapist. Going through the list, Monica finally rejected the last one and said I have to make a call. There was no one she trusted and Lainey was a friend of Elizabeth's so that left her off the short list. Calling Kevin she asked his advice.
"I would go with Lainey. I am here adviser and while I think she has a few issues, she might be the best person to work with Jason. She knows the players and won't have to keep a scorecard."
Reluctantly, Monica talked to her and asked if she could abide by a few rules. "What rules?"
"No records. You and I both know that Corinthos and that crowd are not going to sit back and lose having my son at their beck and call. Also, you are going to hear a few things, but you need to put your personal feelings aside."
"I always do that." she snapped then said, "Fine, anything else?"
"Just one more thing. We both know what Mr. Spinelli is capable of, so there will be someone checking your office daily for any kind of recording device unless you want to have the sessions move around."
"First, check my office, please. If I find out he has it bugged I will press charges. As for Jason, we will do whatever he wants, have the sessions where he needs me to."
Jason saw Robin talking to her husband and the woman slipped away as he came up. Patrick said, "You do know you should be in bed."
"I couldn't sleep. Could you please ask your wife to stop in and see me later," he asked.
"No. Whatever you said earlier, it hurt her. I won't let you use what happened to hurt people. I think you did enough..." He clamped his mouth shut.
"Damage? You think I did enough damage?" He said with a shake of his head. "I know that, but I am started to piece a few things together about what happened the first time I woke up. I talked to my grandfather, my mother, and Keesha. I need to talk to Robin as well."
Robin was around the corner listening and decided cowering was wrong. "What about?"
Turning Jason said "Everything. Like how come you didn't tell the other me about Karen before I went to work for Sonny? Or how about explaining why I would go to work for the man?"
Patrick wanted to interfere not liking his tone, but Robin led him to the new waiting room and closed the doors. "Okay, let's start at the beginning."
Robin went through their past, Jason just nodding and sometimes looking at her in astonishment. When she told him about Sonny, he said: "My god I really was brain dead wasn't I?"
"Sonny was good to Stone and me, you saw that. I think it changed your opinion," she told him.
Seeing the doubt on his face, she continued telling him about Michael and how the truth came out. How he took years to forgive her. Then about how he had lost his memory and that Sam had come looking for her.
Seeing his disgust at the mention of the woman's name Robin said: "You were taking care of her because she was carrying Sonny's kid and you wanted to protect Michael."
"So let me get this straight. I became a kiss ass who did whatever Sonny needed?" he asked not sure he wanted to know more.
"No, look, Jason, I wasn't here at the time. By the time I came home, she was living with you. We are friendly but that is it. We certainly don't share secrets. If we see each other we have coffee, we talk but frankly we really don't go out of our way." she said.
"You don't like Sam, I get that you don't like Carly and in spite of the fact we were involved you clearly don't like the other version of me," he said. "Do I have all of that correct?"
Sighing, she looked at him and said "The man I knew, he wouldn't have done what I think he did. Jason, you let someone down, badly. Worse you..."
"Worse I what?" he snapped. "What aren't you telling me?"
Looking sadly at him, she said: "Let's just say you were a big disappointment and you did something that no one, at least no mother will ever forgive you for."
"Did I ..." she saw him turn white. "Oh god, did I shoot a kid or something?"
"No, but Jason, someone did hurt a child close to you. It was Sam and even after knowing what she did, you were sleeping with her. I saw that with my own eyes, Jason. There is no doubt. It is why... it is why... Quartermaine or Morgan, I don't think I can ever consider you a friend again."
Stunned, Jason walked away, not sure what to think. As he tightened the belt on his robe, he walked into a man entering the hospital. "Excuse me, I'm sorry about that."
Jack looked up and saw Jake's eyes and wanted to hit the bastard but knew that it wouldn't help things. Just nodding curtly, he was walking away when he saw the man stagger and start to fall. Grabbing him, he called out for someone to get a wheelchair while he took the jerk's pulse.
When a short dark haired woman in a white coat came up, he said: "Pulse is racing, looks like he blacked out."
Robin felt a smidgen of guilt then said "Thank you I will take care of it from here. I am Dr. Scorpio."
"I think my fiancee has a friend named that." he said with a smile.
"British accent, killer smile and medical skills, you wouldn't happen to be Jack would you?" she said looking at the man who had won Elizabeth's heart and felt her own start racing.
Hearing Jason moan, Robin said, "I have to take care of my patient but is she here?"
"She was stopped out in the parking lot by a woman who pinched my bum." he said.
"Kelly Lee." she said as the orderly came to help her with Jason.
Once he was in his bed, he listlessly laid there, wondering what now. When his mother came in and recommended talking to Lainey, he agreed in a monotone.
"Jason?" she asked looking at his sallow skin. "Do you need me to get Patrick?"
"No, I will be fine. Mom, can I ask you a question?" he said raising his head.
"Of course." she replied hoping she didn't live to regret it.
"What did I do? What aren't you telling me? Why does have the medical staff treat me with such disdain, Michael loathes me and even you look at me like you don't like me sometimes?"
Swallowing her pain, she reached out and said "Something happened. Jason, you are my son, I love you no matter what. But Jason Morgan, I loved him too. But honestly, I never liked him very much. He would say how the Quartermaines used people yet he was ..."
"Friends with Corinthos. I know, it makes no sense to me. Robin and now you skirted around whatever happened. Can you just tell me, please?" he pleaded with her.
"Jason, this is one thing I cannot do. I almost certain that it was what led you to take that medication and drive," she said. Then looking at her watch s, id "I have a meeting in a couple of minutes, can I bring you something?"
Holding up the medical journal he had nabbed earlier on his exploration of the new hospital, he lied "I will just read this."
Monica hurried to her office. When she arrived she saw a dark-haired man teasing Elizabeth. They looked so comfortable together, she felt upset at that. Some small part of her had hoped that she would be able to forgive Jason.
"Hi," Elizabeth said awkwardly. "The boys are at our new place. We are at the end of Ashcroft Drive."
Monica couldn't recall but one house on that road, then her eyes widened as she got where they were staying. "May I stop over and visit the boys?"
"Yes, but you cannot mention Jason being Jake's father to them. I would prefer no mention of Jason at all but Cam might remember you from that day at the park."
Agreeing, Monica asked if she could bring Edward. "Of course, as long as he follows the same rules."
As they walked down the hallway, Lainey called out to Elizabeth saying "Robin got called into surgery along with Patrick and Epiphany, so I am the welcoming committee. At least the one who won't try to get to second base with your fiancee. Sorry about Kelly."
"She wouldn't be Kelly if she hadn't tried." said a rueful Elizabeth hugging her friend then explained that Jack would be working there soon. As the Brit went to explore, they talked. Matt approached and gave Elizabeth a hug. "You have no idea how much you were missed."
"Well in a few weeks I will be returning to work."
Seeing his huge smile, she said: "I would almost think you really DID miss me."
"Hey, I love pretty women. It is a family failing, don't you know?" he said. Then hearing his beeper said, "Off to work."
Jack returned saying it was going to be strange working there, talking about the difference between British care and American as they left the building. Alexis heard laughter and turned to see who it was, but all she got was a good looking man holding a woman as they enjoyed the joke.
Meeting with her middle daughter, she said "Why are we here? Are you okay?"
Kristina had been cool lately, so she was happy when the girl smiled and said: "Yes, I just need you to sign a permission slip for me to volunteer here."
"Okay," she said signing the sheet. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Oh, Kristina wanted to do, it was all part of the plan to make her sister pay. "Yes, I do. Thanks, Mom."
Muttering about the changing moods of teenagers, Alexis went to see what Tracy wanted at the hotel. "Are you bringing a date to the party?"
"That was the big emergency?" she asked. "Why would you care if I have a date?"
"Because I have a single very wealthy gentleman coming into town for the party. His date canceled at the last minute and his family used to donate very heavily to GH. He can't come dateless. I was hoping you could help me out."
"I will do it. Do you want him to sit with us?" She asked worried about Sam.
"No, you will be sitting at the head table with him." Tracy wanted Sam isolated with only Maxie, Spinelli and whoever else they cadged to sit at their table.
It was a quiet evening as Cam and Jake soon fell asleep, Jack read up on the latest medical journal and Elizabeth paced. Finally, she said, "I have to run out and do something."
"Okay, but be careful," he said looking up. Then with a smile, he asked: "How are you doing?"
"You mean do I feel like curling up into a ball and crying. No." she said. I know they will sedate Jason tonight. I looked at the chart. They want to monitor him. I need to see him while he can't see me."
Hugging her, he said "Go, I will stay with the boys. Maybe I can talk Cam into playing poker."
"He is six, Jack. Give it some time," she said as she went to the huge garage. Her instinct was to take the minivan parked there, but then with a sly grin, she got behind the wheel of the sports car and drove off.
The man in the window paid the bet to himself with a chuckle. He knew she wouldn't be able to resist the Maserati.
Pulling into the staff parking, Elizabeth told the parking attendant who she was and he promised to get her a sticker for the vehicle as she went inside. Going to the staff locker room, she changed into a set of scrubs and grabbed a lab coat.
Entering Jason's room, she stood at the end of the bed watching him sleep. An hour later, without a word, she left silently, cursing herself for the pull she still felt for the man who had hurt her son. She couldn't help thinking that maybe that pull was what he felt for Sam if that was why he had tossed her and Jake away.
Once in the locker room, she sat down in a corner and cried. Changing back into her clothes, Elizabeth went for a drive. Out at the Bridge, she sat there deciding what to do.
Was she keeping Jake away from Jason to punish him? Thinking on it, she was reminded of her childhood and what her stepmother had done. Then compared it to Sam and decided she wasn't.
The damage that Carly, Sonny, and Sam could do to her son was tremendous but it would not even begin to compare to the damage Jason would do, every time he canceled to rush off to the others. Or when he and Sam figured out a way to have kids, Jake would be shunted aside and she couldn't allow him to ever be in second place.
Jason woke up, looked around confused. She had been here. He had seen her while he had been drifting off to sleep. His angel had been wearing medical scrubs. At least he thought she had been.
As he scratched the area where Drake had taped the IV needle down, he hoped they got whatever was in his system out. According to the doctor, it was why his heart felt weak sometimes and his blood pressure would skyrocket. He didn't agree with the assessment, they happened as he discovered more about the man he had been.
He could feel the pull of the dreams, the urge to sleep but in the end, the dreams had become nightmares where he had been all alone and in pain. He didn't want that, but for some reason, he got the feeling the dreams, at least part of them had a basis in whatever mess he had created in his life.
Picking up the romance novel, he went back to looking at the picture, when he heard someone entering. Hiding it quickly he saw a tall blond man. "Have you seen Michael?"
"No. Why?"
"He stormed out of Sonny's earlier and I was hoping he was here."
"No, you're Jax, correct?" he felt the need to put the face with a name.
"Yes," he said shortly as his phone rang. Talking to whoever was on the other end, he groaned and then asked: "You didn't think to check there before calling me?"
Hanging up, he said, "He is at your mother's, asleep."
"Okay." Jason got the feeling Jax didn't like him but decided to ask him anyhow. "I was wondering if you could tell me about how we get along?"
"We don't." he snapped. Then looking at the man, Jax sat down, then said: "How far do you want me to go back?"
"To the beginning if you don't mind."
Jax talked and Jason listened intently right up until he was told he had married Brenda Barrett. "Now I know you are lying. I can't deal with Brenda, never could."
Telling him the rest, Jason was even more confused as to why he would do all of this for Sonny Corinthos. Jax told him about Courtney, how she cheated, the surrogacy and he was the first one to mention a friendship with Elizabeth.
"Who is Elizabeth?" he asked then saw the blond scowl then he said, "I have to go."
Jason now had a name, Elizabeth. Who was she and why was this man the first to mention her?
Early the next morning, Elizabeth heard the doorbell and when she opened it she saw Edward standing there while Monica scowled at him. "I know we are early but someone had ants in their pants."
With a laugh, Elizabeth said the boys are eating breakfast, but you are welcome to join them. As they went to the morning room, Edward wasn't happy. He had been predisposed to dislike Jack but had found the man playing with both boys as they ate breakfast.
There was some giggling as they tried to hide the mess from Elizabeth but she just turned to look at Jack and said: "What happened?"
"Uh, Cam did it." he said with a laugh.
When her son giggled and said, "I didn't do it, Jack did it, Mommy."
Looking around, Jack said "The not me gremlin?" which caused the boys to laugh. Cam because he understood and Jake because everyone else was laughing.
"Well not me had better clean that chocolate sauce up, we have company. We will discuss later why Cheerios shouldn't be covered in that goop." She said. "Cam, do you remember Dr. Quartermaine?"
"Yup, she is Emily's Mommy," he said with a cheer. "Hi, Emily's Mommy."
Quietly introducing them to Jake, the moment Edward saw the little boy's eyes she felt guilt drop on her at the tears. Edward wasn't a young man and if he had died, she would have deprived him of this.
Edging towards the kitchen, she gave a wet chuckle as Romport handed her a handkerchief. As the adults and children talked, Jack slipped away giving the family time to work at being just that.
While Ned and he had never been close, they had spent some time together. And he had heard all about the Quartermaines and knew that no matter how insane things got, one thing was true, they would love each other. Cam, Elizabeth, and Jake were part of that, they just hadn't known it.
In the study, he called Jasper Jacks, planning a meeting at the Metrocourt restaurant at lunchtime. If they were going to twist some tails, they would have to start by giving them a reason to be interested.
Maxie explained to Sam that she had been given lunch as thanks from Jax for helping Ned Ashton with an outfit for his daughter. Seeing Jax check on them, Maxie just said thank you as they ordered dessert.
Jax was still talking to them when a man entered the room and joined the Aussie. "Lord Ashton, hello."
"Jack Griffin, please. I don't use the title. I prefer the one I earned."
Maxie looked at the gorgeous looking man with the accent and said: "Hello, are you new in town?"
Gotcha, he thought. "Yes, I just moved here. I am doing a rotation at GH."
Sam lost interest, hot yes, but he was a doctor. Maxie, however, was intrigued. "What is your specialty?"
Double gotcha. "I specialize in high-risk Obstetrics/Gynecological surgeries but I am trained in Oncology as well. That is why I am here."
"Why Port Charles?" she asked.
His phone rang in perfect timing. Hanging up, Jack gave a quick smile of apology and said to Jax, "I do apologize I have to meet Dr. Drake at GH."
Maxie looked around then said "I can show you the way. I have to go there anyhow."
Jax was talking but Sam shook her head in amazement then looked up, she couldn't have heard him correctly.
"Did you ask me to leave?" she asked.
"Yes, I did. Maxie should not have invited you. I tried to get them to rescind your invitation for the gala but I couldn't get your mother to agree."
"Why?"
"I have never had much use for people who use children. Now please exit quietly."
Sam wanted to point out Jerry was his brother but didn't want to draw attention to her past with the man so she left fuming as she swore to make him pay.
Heading to the office, she saw Sonny with Spinelli. "I can't get in. These accounts are under the supervision of the Treasury Department. Dr. Quartermaine arranged for that."
Sonny's accounts were still being raided. His shipments were coming under attack and Dante was nowhere near as effective as Jason had been. In fact, his son had screwed up every single assignment.
That morning Miami had been hit hard. He had lost everything in a fire. Someone was ruthlessly destroying his empire one piece at a time. He had even wondered about Jason at first, but he knew he wasn't capable right now.
He had the feeling that he was about to lose everything. Tonight he was attending the hospital gala and was expected to make a donation, but he had less than a hundred grand in his safe and nothing in his accounts.
Kate tried to talk some sense into Olivia. "You are making a mistake, you do know that don't you?"
"Sonny says he wants to be a family." she protested. Then wondered if she was jealous that she was getting what could have been Kate's if it hadn't been for getting shot on her wedding day.
Kate looked at her cousin, had she been this delusional, then sighed in disgust. Reminding herself to thank Diane and Alexis for their compassion and patience, she just shook her head and handed Olivia the dress.
As if she didn't have enough problems, Carly Jacks walked into Crimson, asking to speak to Kate. Olivia had been close to Carly at one point, but finding out about Dante had done damage to the budding friendship. "What do you need Carly?"
"Do you have a date for the gala?" she asked bluntly. "Tracy Quartermaine needs a date for a doctor who used to work at GH. Filthy rich and single if that helps any."
"Why me?" she asked suspiciously.
"Something about an ex-wife," she said walking away, annoyed to be dealing with this. "You will be moved from the Crimson table to the Head Table and she offered to keep your staff in the press releases."
"Who is the doctor?" she asked wanting to know more.
"Don't have the faintest idea. He just is in town for the day." Calling back Tracy, Kate agreed if she placed her table more prominently.
"They will be just off center stage," she promised practically gleeful. Everything had been set, now she just had to warn Monica. Heading over to GH she stopped in for an awkward visit with Jason only to find out he was getting a pass to head out for a while.
"Mom said this gala tonight was your idea. The Winter Garden named for Grandmother."
Tracy looked at her nephew and saw the difference between Quartermaine and Morgan. "Yes, I know you don't remember, but she loved you. Even as Jason Morgan."
"Will Ned be there. He stopped in a few times but didn't stay long."
"He is responsible for the entertainment tonight. I have to head home, I needed to see your mom for a minute." Shaking her head, she smiled and said "Jason, I am glad you are you again. Now I had better go before Luke thinks that he can wear a powder blue tuxedo tonight. Damn Spencers never did have any class."
Jason looked at her then as soon as someone else came in he recognized he asked "Why is my aunt worried about what Luke Spencer wears to this party tonight? Did he become mayor again?"
Patrick looked at him, then realized no one had told him. "Spencer was Mayor no wonder this town is so screwed up. And your Aunt is married to him."
Jason looked at Patrick, then realized the man was telling a joke. The image of Luke and Aunt Tracy had him laughing until tears poured out of his eyes. When Monica and Robin entered to give him the news, they looked at the man curled up as he held his stomach from laughing so much.
"What is going on?"
"You will not believe what Drake told me," he said breaking up into laughter again. "He said Aunt Tracy is married to Luke Spencer."
Monica just looked in pain. When he saw they didn't get the joke, he said. "Why don't you think it is funny?"
"Uh, Jason. It's true." Said Monica as Jason slowly stopped laughing. "It's a long story, but yes, they are married and have been for a few years."
Stunned, Jason began to realize that all the changes hadn't been in his life, others had changed just as drastically. "What about Laura?"
"They split up about ten years ago, she was pretty sick for a while but now she lives in Paris," said Robin. "We didn't tell you a lot of things we should have."
"We do have some good news. After your last treatment to replenish your blood; tomorrow you go home."
Stunned, Jason said, "Do I still have a home?"
"There are options. Your penthouse or the mansion. Or we could arrange for you to stay at the Gatehouse." suggested Monica.
"Not the penthouse, that is connected to Morgan. I thought you told me some geek who used to work for me was staying there, anyhow."
"You do have the right to ask him to move," she said. "But I would love for you to move home."
"For now, until I get my mind wrapped around things," he said. "Then I need to figure out what I do next if I still have options. Do you know if I have a criminal record or anything? I mean I worked for Sonny." he added feeling helpless.
"I am going to let your attorney explain all of that to you. We have been keeping Diane away," said Monica. "Here, I brought you the shoes you are going to need. I saw Tracy and I have to get to the party to keep her from creating a disaster. Have fun with Michael."
Not telling them he was going to the party, he simply said: "I will."
Michael showed up and said, "Do you mind if Kristina tags along?"
Looking at the young girl he asked when she went to make a call "Your girlfriend?"
"She is my sister. Alexis Davis is her mother and Sonny is her father. Not that he has been much of one." Turning to look at his uncle, he said: "You need to change so we can go."
Jason went to shower and then once dressed asked if this would be okay. Thinking about the basic black his uncle usually wore, Michael said: "You look fine."
"I know that some bad things went on between your biological father and my other self, but... would you mind if we talk about the AJ, I knew."
Michael looked down then said "WE can. I spent so many years being taught to hate him, but I have had to take a second look lately. Even before you woke up."
Kristina rushed in and said, "Change of plans, food at the hotel, I hope you don't mind?"
Elizabeth was changing into the ball gown, stunned at its simple beauty. It was a biased cut sheath, in soft green with darker green and silver embroidery on the bodice. As her hair came out of the curlers and the hairdresser finished placing the pins in it, Elizabeth felt like a fairytale princess.
"You look beyond incredible," said Jack. "So will I do as your date?"
Looking at the man in the tailor-made tux, she said: "You are going to break hearts tonight."
"Well, shall we?" He asked. Walking up the stairs to the boys' room, Elizabeth kissed them as they played with their toys. Jake gave her a large grin while Cam said: "Mommy, you smell nice tonight."
Jack got her out of there then asked what was it? "Being here, this town, it … everything reminds me of Jason. Even an innocent remark made by my son."
Seeing his question in his face, she said "Jason once told me I smelled like snow and I said snow doesn't smell. We had a completely silly conversation that meant a lot to me, but to him, it was just a way to pass time. Just like I was. A way to get through not having a warm body in his bed."
"DON'T THINK LIKE THAT! That is what the petty small-minded bitter ass people in this town want you to think. They want you to believe they are better than you. They aren't. Most of the so-called beautiful people in this town are little more than jumped up trailer trash who either married or stole their way to what they have."
Looking at him, she said "What about me? I am nobody too."
"No, you are not. Elizabeth, you are way better than those who are treating you this way. Find the confidence I saw in London. Be that Elizabeth."
Taking a deep breath she said "I will. My dad is going to be there tonight so is Steven and a few others I care about. You are right, plus I have this overpriced, antique bauble to use to break their nose with if they piss me off."
"Luv, try not to get blood on the family heirloom, it is a bitch to get out of the diamonds." he drawled as they went to the garage.
Looking at Jack, she started laughing as he placed her in the passenger seat of the low-slung Maserati sports car. "That is more like it. Now let's go make Tracy Quartermaine's night."
As the room started to fill up, Sam noticed that she was given the cold shoulder by quite a few people that would have never dared to pull that crap when Jason was around. Patrick, Robin, Matt and his date were talking to Epiphany and her date, all of whom had turned their back on her when she had smiled at them.
Looking for someone to talk to, she wandered over to where Jax was talking to Olivia and Sonny. When she said hello all of them stopped to stare then started talking at once to one another. Flushing she went to see if she could find her mother, but instead, she saw Nik and Lucky talking to Rebecca Shaw and another woman.
"Have you seen Elizabeth yet?" she heard Nik asking.
"No, but Aunt Bobbie said she is coming back to GH to work. I guess Steven is staying at Audrey's house for a while too. Mrs. Hardy wasn't home when I called earlier."
"What about her fiancee?"
Lucky looked at him, laughed then said "My guess is they ended things, why else would she return. Not a lot of men want to take on other people's kids like that."
Walking up, she added. "Especially since they have two different fathers neither of whom were her husband when they were created."
Nik stared, then said, "Shouldn't you be at GH, begging Jason to return?"
Lucky snickered, then said "Sam, lost that one. According to Mac, Jason did return, but as a Quartermaine. She doesn't stand a chance."
Wanting to slap her ex-lover, Sam just slunk away, still looking for Alexis. The others shook their head and Nik said "She is still bitter, and so are you Lucky. You need to get over this."
"I am, but Elizabeth used me, I owe her for that, then I will be over things."
Nik and his date walked away, while Rebecca tried to distract Lucky from making a fool of himself.
As Carly entered the ballroom, she greeted the man Tracy asked her to. "Alexis, this is Andrew Barrington."
As they sat down, Carly wondered what happened to Kate's date then saw the woman talking to an older gentleman with silver gray hair. When they sat down, she thought he looked familiar but was soon distracted by Ned and Jax.
"Carly, this looks lovely. Thanks for letting us set the tables up this way."
"It is rather unusual for an event like this." she replied then sent to greet her mother who was staring at Kate's date.
"Momma, what is it?"
"Jeff Webber, I had forgotten how good looking he was. He certainly aged well," she said as she sat down with at their table.
"That is Elizabeth Webber's father?" she asked looking at the man again. Steven saw her looking at him and he came to greet her. "Everything looks lovely. I heard they got the money for the peds playroom as well."
"Yes, it is being named for Jessie Brewer."
"I guess that explains what Andrew Barrington is here for. He is her nephew."
Almost all were in the ballroom as Sam rejoined Maxie, Lulu, Ethan, and Spinelli. When Dante came over and asked if he could sit with them, she gritted her teeth when Lulu said sure. She had realized she was stuck at the kiddie table for the biggest event of the Port Charles society season.
Michael, Kristina, and Jason ate the takeout in a suite. Jason feeling claustrophobic as one of his dreams happened while he was wide awake. Dazed as the images flashed through his brain, Jason took a deep breath and tried to will his body's reaction away.
"Jason, do you want to see everything or just go down for Tracy's speech."
"Is there a spot where we can see them and they can't see us. Maybe you can tell me about the people," he suggested.
Since it fit into her plans, Kristina beamed at him. "Sure. But we do have to leave you for a bit early on."
"Ladies and Gentlemen,..." Tracy thanked them for coming then said "We are going to change up the program a bit. I would like to like to introduce a very honored guest, Andrew Barrington."
Maxie was yawning, bored as Spinelli and Ethan talked about the casino. Seeing the man speaking, she saw Kate glaring at Lulu and her and shut the table up so they could pay attention.
As the man went on and on about giving back, "My own family has a rich history that is now carried on by my niece."
"When I was asked to speak, I considered asking my sister Beth's daughter. Instead, I decided to make a slightly different request of her. One I am sure you will enjoy much more. Jesse Brewer was more than a fixture behind the hub at GH, more than a teacher or a compassionate nurse, she was a family matriarch, she was a tower of strength. I like to think that her legacy lives on in those she taught. From her still working nurses, Bobbie Spencer Jones and Epiphany Johnson, to her own granddaughter Elizabeth Webber. Elizabeth and her sons are our families legacy to General Hospital."
Sam and Maxie both rolled their eyes then Maxie stiffened. Elizabeth's grandfather Steven started GH and served as its first chief of Staff. Her grandmother fell in love, at first sight, giving up her job as an air stewardess to marry Steve. Her father Jeff, her mother, my sister Beth. Her Uncle Rick and her siblings."
So in honor of our family; I am making two donations to GH. The first is the money needed to finish the new peds playroom in honor of Jesse Brewer, who helped create the first one in 1963. The second is a scholarship trust in honor of my niece. Elizabeth stood on her own at such a young age, partly out of stubbornness and partly out of necessity."
Sam stiffened when he asked Elizabeth to join him at the podium, while others applauded. When he kissed her checks, Elizabeth took the paperwork he handed her then seeing Jack's wink, knew he had been well aware what was going on. As they returned to their seats. Tracy gave a slight smirk and said "Elizabeth, thank you for honoring the family legacy but marrying a doctor might be taking it too far. Best wishes to your fiancee and you."
Sam smirked, Elizabeth has settled for some dull doctor, she couldn't wait to rub it in. Debating making a run on the guy, she decided it would be too easy and smiled widely at Dante.
Lulu saw that and frowned then listened as Tracy went on to thank those who donated to help build the Lila Quartermaine Winter Garden. "Please stand as I announce your names. "My father Edward Quartermaine and the family trust."
As the Q's stood there was applause and then the rest of the usual suspects, the Jacks family, Nik, Kate Howard, then Tracy saw Sonny's name didn't have a checkmark so she skipped him. "And finally to who has to be my personal favorite contributor. Dr. Jack Griffen, Viscount Ashton, my son's half brother and GH"s new oncologist. Ladies, don't fall in love, Dr. Jack is very much off the market as he came to town engaged to GH's own angel of Mercy Elizabeth Webber."
Carly's jaw snapped open as she took a look at the man shaking hands with Tracy. Several others in the room did as well, while Kelly Lee just whistled. Sam and Maxie burned with anger as the man in question kissed Elizabeth. Lucky fell off his chair shocked while Nik just laughed silently.
They said living well was the best revenge and it looked like Elizabeth had taken that maxim to heart. Tracy whispered to the stage manager, then went to sit down as Brooklynn took to the stage. Arriving at the table, she said something to Monica that had the older woman laughing loud enough to get the attention of many in the room.
"Tracy, I hope they can print still pictures. I want one."
"Someone should tell Sam McCall, Maxie Jones that puce isn't a good color for anybody." she snarked back with a smile.
Elizabeth could feel all eyes on her and asked Jack if they could get away for a couple of minutes. Holding her close, he pushed past most of the room, then took her to a small alcove. "You do know right now, someone is speculating you are pregnant."
"I doubt that see sweet Elizabeth waits until she is married then get's pregnant with someone other than her husband's kid." sneered Sam.
Elizabeth appraised the woman who had shown her the truth about Jason and said: "You look a little rough around the edges Sam, how're tricks?"
Ignoring the woman, Sam said "If you get bored with the ice princess there, come to see me. The last two did and they were starving for it after her."
Jacks laughed out loud and said "I don't pay for sex." then escorted Elizabeth away from the woman.
Seeing the side balcony, Elizabeth said: "I will be right back."
"I will keep people out. Are you okay?" he asked hugging her.
Michael and Kristina finished messing with Kate Howard's computers and rushed back to where they had left an exhausted Jason. Seeing Jax standing there talking to someone, they ducked into a corner and waited hoping he didn't go onto the balcony where their cover was hiding.
Elizabeth wiped the tears, Sam's words echoing through her head. Then hearing a snore, saw Jason sleeping on a chaise lounge. Worried at first, she recalled why she was fixing her makeup. Walking over to the man, she stared.
Waking up from a dream where he felt safe again, Jason looked up then pinched himself to make sure this wasn't another drug-induced dream. "Are you real?"
She just stared, then turned and walked away not trusting herself. "Hey! Don't go."
As she kept walking, Jason drew the strength to stand and grabbed onto her. "Please, stay. I need to talk to you."
Looking at him, she said "Why? What could YOU possibly want from me?"
"Please, just tell me who you are?"
Hurting, Elizabeth knew to keep her mouth shut before she made things worse, but then he said: "You have haunted my dreams and my nightmares, please tell me who you are to me."
Looking at him she said "I am the woman it is too dangerous for you to be around. I am the mother of the boys it is too dangerous for you to be around. I am the woman you paid to go away and keep your secrets. I am the woman, the woman who loved you, but you never loved me. I... I am the woman who was never good enough. I am the..." The sobs started then she gained control
"...the mother of little boys who will never call you dad because you preferred the woman who slept with her stepfather, who came to me torturing me telling me my kidnapped son was dead and that made me and her the same while she let a mentally disturbed woman keep him. The woman who hired men to threaten me in the park while my innocent sons were there. The woman, who led drug dealers to my house; knew they were following us and that they wanted my son."
"I am the woman who was given money to go away so that you could get back together with this woman. I.. I am the woman who should have known better after you lied to me the first time. I am the woman who should have known that my sons would never be good enough for you."
Jason felt sick, the disdain and loathing he had been feeling from various people was nothing to the pain coming off the fragile woman in front of him. "So the answer to your question of who I am to you. I am nothing. I am less than nothing. And I finally learned that lesson. I am only sorry I was too stupid to learn it years ago."
"I'm sorry, I am so sorry." he said as she stopped at the door.
"Good bye Jason." she said falling apart as she collapsed discreetly into Jack's arms.
TBC